MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO The Lord of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
FEATURES rAge report back COD: Black Ops II multiplayer
one ring to rule them all
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 1 of 4 - Gandalf & Frodo MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO FEATURES The Lord rAge report back of the Rings COD: Black Ops II multiplayer It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
one ring to find them
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 2 of 4 - Aragorn & Pippin MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO The Lord of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
FEATURES rAge report back COD: Black Ops II multiplayer
one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 3 of 4 - Legolas & Gimli MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
in the land of mordor where the shadows lie.
SPECIAL EDITION PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO Cover 4 of 4 - Mordor
FEATURES LEGO rAge report back COD: Black Ops II The Lord multiplayer of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
Editor Michael “RedTide“ James [email protected]
Assistant editor Geoff “GeometriX“ Burrows Staff writer Contents Dane “Barkskin “ Remendes
Contributing editor Regulars Lauren “Guardi3n “ Das Neves 12 Ed’s Note 14 Inbox Features Technical writer Neo “ShockG“ Sibeko 18 Bytes 53 home_coded 32 RAGE 2012: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS International correspondent 72 Everything else When the country’s biggest and best gaming Miktar “Miktar” Dracon extravaganza comes to a close, it’s only natural to feel profound panic and despair at the thought of having Contributors to wait a whole year for the next one. But instead Rodain “Nandrew” Joubert Opinion of getting bogged down in the wait ahead, we’re Walt “Ramjet” Pretorius 18 I, Gamer playing optimist, thinking of the good times rAge 2012 Miklós “Mikit0707 “ Szecsei 20 The Game Stalker contained. Pippa “UnexpectedGirl” Tshabalala 22 The Indie Investigator Tarryn “Azimuth “ Van Der Byl 24 Miktar’s Meanderings Adam “Madman” Liebman 77 Hardwired 38 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II We stare long and hard into the unblinking eyes Art director 98 Game Over of Black Ops II’s revitalised multiplayer suite, and Chris “SAVAGE“ Savides discover how Treyarch plans to make this the most Photography attractive COD multiplayer off ering yet. Chris “SAVAGE“ Savides Preview Dreamstime.com 50 Company of Heroes 2 44 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS Fotolia.com A LEGO The Lord of the Rings feature is never late, Sales executives dear reader. Nor is it early. It arrives precisely when it Cheryl “Cleona“ Harris / [email protected] Reviews means to. Does that quote work? +27 72 322 9875 52 Reviews: Introduction 80 MSI MOA 2012 Martin Green 53 Mini review: Kingdom Taipei, Taiwan played host to MSI’s Master Overclocking 083 445 0371 Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Arena this yearyear,, and we travelled all the way there to [email protected] Distance cover everyevery aspect of the prestiprestigiousgious event. 54 XCOM: Enemy Unknownnown Marketing and promotions manager 58 Torchlight II Jacqui “Jax” Jacobs 60 F1 2012 [email protected] 62 PES 2013 +27 82 778 8439 64 FIFA 2013 66 Tekken Tag Tournamentment 2 Offi ce assistant 68 Dead or Alive 5 Paul Ndebele 69 The Sims 3: Supernaturalatural Contact details 70 Rocksmith P .O. Box 237, Olivedale, 2158, South Africa 71 Port Royale 3: Pirateses & Tel +27 11 704 2679 Merchants Fax +27 11 704 4120
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Internet 74 Tech News www.nag.co.za 76 Dream Machine www.zinio.com/nag 78 Lazy Gamer’s Guide:: Tt eeSportsSports www.facebook.com/NAGMagazine Level 10M Gaming MMouseouse www.twitter.com/nagcoza 84 AMD A10 5800K APUU Printing 86 CM Storm Recon / CCreativereative Impress Web Printers Labs Sound Blaster RecoRecon3Dn3D 031 263 2755 Omega 88 PATRIOT Intel Extrememe MMastersasters Distribution 2133MHz Dual Channelnnel Kit On the Dot Tt eSports MEKA G-UnitUnit Stuart Dickerson / 011 401 5932 Mechanical Keyboard90rd90 ASUS GTX660 Ti-DC2T-2GD5C2T-2GD5
Copyright 2012 NAG 90 Corsair Neutron Serieses All rights reserved. No article or picture in this magazine may 240GB SSDs be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the express written consent of the publisher. Opinions 92 CM Storm Sonuz Gamingaming Head expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of set the publisher or the editors. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. 94 GIGABYTE Z77X-UP77 Don’t Pirate NAG! 96 MSI GTX 650Ti Powerer EditioEditionn
this magazine when you’re fi nished with it. 97 Thermaltake Water 22.0.0 PRPROO
10 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ EDITOR’S NOTE / rAge 2012
There’s a press release on the offi cial site: www.rageexpo. co.za, and an article in this issue to tell you everything you need to know about what happened… offi cially. I’m going to tell you what really happened. Everything in the press release and article is all true; it was a great show and we had more people than ever before but it also taught us a few lessons (as it always does). First up it was too busy on Saturday. It got so bad at one point that the Dome safety and security people had to stop people from coming in until people let. This crisis lasted about 45 minutes and a few people got grumpy and said organisation was bad. I disagree: bad organisation would have been people getting hurt because we didn’t have good organisation. The lines to get in were also a bit long and of course we had a heat wave. Standing in the sun isn’t fun. The ATM machines were also too busy and at one point weren’t working due to some outside link problem that was resolved eventually. The credit card machines that used wireless were a bit of a joke because over the rAge weekend wireless at the Dome doesn’t exist – there are just too many signals fl ying around for anything to work. The stage area was too crowded. As for the LAN, some internet link to Europe went down on Friday (we think a great white ate the cable), resulting in zero connectivity on Friday; the network wasn’t 100% perfect WWW.PROPHECY.CO.ZA thanks to the truck strike so some of our expensive kit was I ordered some stuff from these guys the other week and was stranded in customs, and apparently some games didn’t like running late to collect it (I was going to be there at about 20 the confi guration. It was our tenth year – you think things minutes after their closing time). “No problem,” I was told. would run smoothly. LOL… End of the day it all worked out “We’ll wait for you.” They didn’t know who I was either. So and I’d say around 99% of the people are happy people. Sorry thanks guys, you’ve earned your free plug here. to the 1%; I wish everything ran perfectly but I guess because it’s year 10 we were due for a bit of a wakeup call – more of a COMPETITION WINNERS friendly reminder not to be complacent and to respect our Sorry for this boring stuff , I don’t know why all these wieners position at the top. Here are some of the things we’re doing are being put on this page. I feel like I’m not in charge of for 2013 to improve on this year: We’re going to have the NAG this magazine sometimes. Next month this goes in the news LAN 100% sorted out and confi rmed to work by 1 June 2013 or section or not at all. Anyway – well done all you people – your we’re not going to have the LAN at rAge. We’re talking to the skill at sending an SMS has been rewarded. Borderlands various ISPs about a new Internet system that will work just 2 competition winners: main winner – Bryan Banfi eld, like it does if you were connecting from home (not as quick second place winners – Duncan Smith; Johan Dreyer; JP but more or less). We’re going to add more people in the front Steyn and the rest – Nathan Stewart; Christopher Doran; to deal with the lines of people quickly but please consider Richard Steyn; Jason Rip; Ruben Janse Van Ransburg; JL coming on Sunday or Friday (the less busy days). We’re adding Hendrikse. The guy with some actual skill is Keith Milton of more ATM machines (maybe those portable ones outside). Roodepoort who won the arcade machine at the NAG stand We’re going to insist that all retailers use hard lines for their at rAge by playing Ghosts and Goblins with a score of 154,600 credit card machines. We’re going to increase the size of (he clocked it twice). Oh, just been sent more: September the aisles (by 2 meters on the main ones and 1 meter on the Evetech competition – Louis Ainslie; Johan Mackay; Lumart secondary). We’re going to move the stage around and add Wiechers; Brendon Morris; Stefan Engelbrecht. more seats (1-2 more bleachers) and more standing room. All Before I go, we’ve brought back a favourite section – this has already been decided and that’s before we’ve even Everything Else – this is all that stuff you love and surround had out fi rst meeting for rAge 2013. yourself with. Yoda backpacks, fi gurines, toys, board games It was an awesome show and the best we’ve ever done. and so on. This is just here to let you all know that we’re even more What a ride committed to making it better each year. Thanks for - RedTide coming and see you in 2013. Editor
12 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ INBOX /
*Disclaimer: Most of the letters sent to this fi ne publication are printed more or less verbatim (that means “we don’t edit or fi x them” for you slow kids at the back), so ignore any spelling or grammatical INBOX errors. It’s not us… it’s you. LETTER OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 2012
From: Ivan Subject: Call of Disrespect The servers on COD MW3 seem infested does not fall within the pre-conceived with veterans trying to discourage the norm of ideal weaponry. Yes COD is not entertainment that the game provides. the SA gaming community as a whole LETTER OF THE MONTH Recently, while playing online, I but it is a sizable chunk of it. Players personally received a lot of hate mail, who condemn new players are bad and The ‘Letter of the Month’ prize is sponsored by the good folks at after fi nishing a game with a K/D of 3/1, should feel bad. The next time you are Megarom. The winner receives two for using the “wrong” gun and being mowed down by a hail of bullets spewed games for coming up with the most “[nasty words, Ed]”. No “well done” or by a “rapid fi re n00b” for the sake of inspired bit of wisdom of cleverness. “I couldn’t do that asleep dosed up on the community keep your opinion to Note: You can’t change the games or the heroin” was mentioned, only mindless yourself and enjoy the game like it was platform they come on. rage for using such a n00b gun. The meant to be played. weapon in question was the PP90M1 HARD TECHNICAL STUFF and last weekend it was still accepted You are so right. Here’s an offi cial Land mail: P.O. Box 237, Olivedale, 2158 as a “right” weapon to use. For a message from NAG magazine: Use Better mail: [email protected] community parading “n00b acceptance” whatever weapon, tactic, method, Important: Include your details when mailing us or you’ll never get your prize we as a community are not very mode, style and/or technique you please if you win… tolerating to anything other than the when playing games. The developers right set of weapons, perks, killstreaks put all the guns in the game for you to and obviously lag. If you cannot cross- use and they patch often to balance map 360 no-scope through a wall with them, so don’t let some pompous know adventures) also joined the party. the MSR you have no business playing it all hothead (who probably heard his Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas comes Search and Destroy. New players are opinion from some other twit) tell you complete with a bunch of police offi cers not welcomed into the game with open how to play, what to use, when to shoot who say suggestive things like: “Let’s arms but rather a rule-book full of or anything of the sort. I have found that wrestle to submission!” and “Don’t drop do’s and do not’s. If you do not want the best way to play is to turn off all chat the soap, honey!” You can also fi nd gay to be ripped to shreds by a guy with a windows, voice communications and pride fl ags on the streets, along with a shotgun in a maze, do not run into the let the only interaction with these “pro” clearly homosexual store clerk who fl irts maze with your sniper then complain players be your rapidly fi red bullets, unabashedly with the male protagonist. when you inevitably die. It has gotten RPG shots into crowded rooms and The fourth title in this series even features to a point where I cannot, in good faith, spammed grenades. This is your new a fl amboyant night-club entrepreneur try to persuade friends to play the motto, “it’s none of my business what named Tony Prince, or “Gay Tony”. multiplayer on the premise of fun. We you think of my playing style”. The only Everywhere you look in many cannot grow as a community if we keep thing you shouldn’t do is cheat or camp popular titles, you see hints and outright on neglecting and insulting anyone that because that’s lame. Ed. statements concerning homosexual relationships between characters. It has even come to the point where game companies (BioWare being the main, proud From: Sharna culprit) are allowing gamers to choose Subject: Gayness in gaming with any gender of any species. same-sex partners for their own characters. Has anyone noticed the sudden boost of Of course, this isn’t the only big title. I, personally see this as a growth as homosexuality in games these days? I have Many games, RPGs in the forefront, are well as a sign of maturity for the entire sat in front of my big screen and played opening up to the idea of appealing to the industry. Creating a new game is a work more headlines than is likely healthy, gay gaming community. Fable II and III of art, and should not be restricted in any and I have noticed this trend. Mass Eff ect also gave me the option of choosing my fashion. We’d all become extremely bored is a sparkling example. At fi rst LGBT character’s sexuality (which of course I otherwise, by lily white, stiff -faced, clean- (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender took advantage of by marrying everyone worded and violence-free future selections. groups) seemed to ok the potential for in sight, before regretting the crippling I’m curious as to what others think of this semi-lesbian scenes between a female spouse allowance fees). I also saw hints of evolution, and whether they think it will Shepard and the Asari, Liara in the fi rst a homosexual relationship in BioShock, have any repercussions for gaming? game. However, by game three EA seemed between Sander Cohen and the game’s to have been pressured into furthering antagonist, Andrew Ryan, as I picked up I think it’s great that game developers their homosexual scope to boy-on-boy audio tapes [You sure about that? We’re are embracing all things when making action, as well as “normal lesbianism”: on the fence on that one, Ed]. their games. Do you have a well thought a.k.a. Not just a woman coupling with Fallout 3 (between two female out intelligent opinion on this topic? Let an all-female alien race able to reproduce ghouls you meet on the course of your us know here: [email protected]. For
14 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Letters
ON THE FORUMS the rest let us know here: applications@ Go right ahead and have a little bitch and moan. We’ll pretend to care, just like school4morons.com. Ed. everyone else: www.nag.co.za/forums
From: Elias Q: What was your favourite thing/part/event/game/person/fruit-fl avoured Subject: Razer snack/etc. at rAge this year? I get your magazine every month and if there are alternate covers I buy all of them. Once I've fi nished reading them I nail them up on my wall. I love the “Nothing, CUZ I WASN’T THERE!!!!!! ” magazine and I love the way you write {G}Zulu and the small attempts at humour but there's one thing I've been wondering about: Why haven't you written a review on the Razer Blade or any Razer “Nothing, CAUSE it’s too far away so products? I have decided to buy the new Razer Blade but I'm still not 100% sure I NEVER GET TO GO! (Q___Q) ” about my choice and if you wanted to wright a review I'm sure you can get James Donaldson your hands on one. And I don't think I've seen any reviews of Razer products I would also love to see ones on the Tiamat 7.1 and the Razer Mamba I'm not asking you to wright a review on “Free stuff ! The Cosplay was those but I've just been wondering why epic as well a lot better” you never write on Razer products. Z1OC What do you mean by small attempts at humour exactly? On a creepier note: are you really nailing whole copies of NAG “Having a dream that it might actually on your wall – this makes me a little come to Cape Town one day... ” scared. Anyway, you asked for a review of the Razer Blade, so here goes: Early DXeXodus man had no way of removing facial hair which is why we often see Neanderthals depicted with unruly wild beards. Later, “I dunno if anyone saw the sledding game with the Wii balance as we became more civilised, we started board. I had real tears (of laughter) while watching people cutting facial hair with sharpened rocks, tools and eventually things like compete at this. Let’s just say when you launch, it doesn’t look knives and so on, culminating in the very “graceful”. I can’t fi nd any videos of it online, but it really is straight razer. Early man did sometimes one of the funniest things I’ve seen in my life. ” end up with no facial hair but this was largely thanks to failed experiments massacre_101 with lava and/or fi re. Today, advanced engineering scientifi cally technologies can fi t up to fi ve razer blades on a single 4. Do you ever have interns working for freelancers). ergonomic handheld device. As you can you? 2. Some earn a salary and some are paid see the modern razer blade is so much 5. Do the staff at NAG fi nd that they have per article. I’m notoriously bad at better than all those other things in the to hold down other writing jobs for paying freelancers. They don’t mind past. I give it 92%. Ed. other companies/publishers? usually because when guilt fi nally 6. Why did you personally get into forces me to pay them they get nice From: Richard gaming journalism and are you happy large lump sums once or twice a year. Subject: NAG employment queries you decided to? 3. You have to be the most sexy person Tarryn’s opinion column in the August 7. Do you feel your passion for gaming in the room. And… be multitalented, issue of NAG caused me to re-evaluate as a hobby has deteriorated as a result must write good and know your my stance on writing and whether it working within the gaming industry? games and gaming industry and would be something I'd want to pursue as 8. Lastly do you still agree with Tarryn's hardware and everything IT related a career path. I would highly appreciate sentiments that if you're passionate and be awesome. it if you'd be able to answer some of my about both writing and gaming that 4. No. They are a bore and usually sit questions if not all or at least direct me this is a good path to actively chase? around staring at us with idiot grins. to someone who could. I'll present my Also, any work they do is such a questions in a numbered format below First up don’t listen to Tarryn, she screw-up that it takes us longer to fi x for ease of reading. operates outside of what people consider than doing it from scratch ourselves. normal. We can’t get rid of her because They smell too. 1. How large is the staff compliment at out of all the people writing for NAG she’s 5. No. They wear cowboy hats and hang NAG? the most likely to go postal at the drop of out near cinema complexes. 2. Do the writers at NAG earn a salary or a hat. Anyhow, back to your questions. 6. I love games and gaming hardware. are they paid per article? This job is just the best way to get 3. What are the required qualifi cations for 1. About 21 people including all both of those things for free. a NAG journalist/editor? freelancers and minions (mostly 7. No. My love for games runs deep.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 15 / INBOX /
8. If you like swimming and dolphins Adrian Martinescu, "I've been using Blender for about a year and a half now and should you become a dolphin wanted to make something for the NAG Magazine because you guys are awesome. trainer… Ed. This was my attempt."
This is the best From: David bit of fan created Subject: Thank you artwork we received I've been gaming since I could walk. I spent at NAG this month. the better half of my childhood taking on If you insert, use the Empire in X-Wing and thwarting the or create a piece plans of Le Chuck in Monkey Island. But of gaming artwork now I've found myself in the position where incorporating the I have to work from 9am to midnight every NAG logo you might day, so my game time is zero. But I'm not also end up here for your three lines of writing this for pity. In fact I'm writing this fame. Just don’t go to say thank you! I want to thank NAG and stick the NAG for keeping me up to date with the latest logo on a picture and games and technology and I want to thank send it in because all the gamers out there on the web, on that is dumb and forums, Facebook or Twitter. Through you dumb people don’t my gaming spirit still burns and will never win things. die. So thank you!
It’s a pleasure. Also, get a new job – From: Josh you’re getting screwed with hours like Subject: Is life a game? knowing if I touched a controller that. ;) Ed. Death is something we all have in THE it would end up in someone’s eye common. We all come into this world the SHORTS socket. I was cursed to love games From: Justin same and go out the same, it’s what we but never play them. I died unhappy. Subject: A Cry from Far do in between which separates us. Death Extracts of This is why I decided to come back My hands pull themselves away from the is very much the driving force behind n00b from again but as a gaming magazine controller and I return Far Cry 2 to its many of our choices, we will make lists of NAG letters editor. I still have a few of those past case, carefully I shut the Play Station off activities we want to do before our lives life problems but the great team here and make sure my uniform is secured. end and scream out terms like "YOLO [you at NAG always manages to make me “While on the With poise I stride from the room. only live once, Ed]," to motivate our choices. topic, it would be look good. Ed. Shuffl ing keys lock up the safe house and When you think about it doesn't a awesome if you I cautiously leave the area, making sure games lifetime go the same way? We will guys did a second that there is no one lurking in the nearby receive a long awaited game and start “Inbox” section of bushes or behind a wall. playing it with huge enthusiasm just as the weirdest and Pleased that I lack any pursuers I head a child will fi nd enjoyment in anything. most unintelligible out onto the road, my eyes dart back and As our time with the game grows we too letters you guys ON TWITTER forth. No cars, nothing that can kill me will grow accustomed to the game's (life's) have received.” - Matthew with one simple shot. All my buddies are ways and will adapt to any situation that Look a birdie @nagcoza already at the location. They may need the game (life) can throw at us and will do “Bring on them me and so I rush across the road. what is necessary to level(grow) up. heads!” Chantelle Alexander No car has run me down and no buggy We will eventually reach a stage where - Julian This weekend it isn’t has tried to get at me. With no protection we hit the level cap (grow old) and need to #GangnamStyle, it’s but a pocket kni- I mean machete of look for things to do before we eventually “Mario taught me #GamingStyle B) :D #rAge2012 course, I head towards the location. There stop playing the game (pass away). Maybe that everyone can be a hero, even a Han are civilians and I’m not used to that, so I we need to explore that cave once more One can win an arcade machine? hurry. There are cars ahead and so I hide or kill that last troll, but we will never plumber.” - Zelda You lie! Don’t be such a tease!!! behind a tree. They soon disappear. feel satisfi ed, never feel like we have done With that obstacle gone, I head across everything. Nonetheless our time with “I have two NAG Magazine Online the road. The front entrance looms but the game (life) will come to an end and aspirations in life; ADDICTED to #GuildWars2 please I go around instead, they won’t catch we will be left wondering what would of to miraculously send help me that way. My buddies are also hiding been the outcome had we took another fi nd a cure for around that side and so I think that it path in the game (life). herpes, and to play Miktar @nagcoza Can’t, too busy playing would be best that way. I guess my point is that games share Assassins Creed 3” GW2. No guards, I rush to my buddies, they more similarities with life than many - Kerry greet me kindly enough. believe, maybe not in the story or “I was a n00b Alwyn Venter ‘Do anything last night?’ My buddy graphics but in the basic principles that before that word Gaming FTW! Well done on asked. dictate them. Whether you can replay life even existed.” organising another spectacular ‘Well I played some Far Cry.’ is another story. - Quinton event! See you next year. ‘Cool.’ I scratch my head, wondering if a sniper I’m actually replaying my life right Andrew Jackson had me in his sights... then wondered now. In the previous life I was born @nagcoza “What is this” Sparta, obviously. what Far Cry 3 would do to me (sharks are with a coordination defi ciency, I already on my beaches, you know). was also illiterate and a little idiotic and my thumbs bent the wrong You know what is weird? This is the third way. My name was Dudley. Everyone letter this month about Far Cry 2. What around me played games, spoke is going on here? Ed. about games and even made games while all I did was stare at the screen
16 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
I, Gamer Smashheadkeyboard Cliff y B leaves It was bound to happen sooner or later, but another game has come along and usurped Skyrim’s place as my current gaming obsession. The best part about it is that the arrival of this attention-glutton was unexpected. Borderlands 2 has joy- Epic Games puked its cel-shaded glory directly into my brain. Dovahkiin is out and Claptrap is in, mainly because he kept calling me his “minion” throughout the fi rst section of the game, and that on its own won me over completely. But the heady mix of gratuitous looting, quirky characters and gun binging didn’t come without a fair amount of eff ort. The herculean task began with the surprise local delay in the release of Borderlands 2. I wasn’t the only one who felt crestfallen when it was revealed that the game was going to be a week late, but instead of moping I decided to cancel my pre-order and go the digital download route. Believe it or not, Borderlands 2 was the fi rst “triple-A” title that I’ve bought digitally. I’ve bought dozens of Xbox LIVE Arcade games, PSN games and smaller indie games, but this was most defi nitely my fi rst stab at shunning the excitement of getting a new boxed game, for something a little less physical. “Perhaps it was the series of unfortunate ensuing events that led me to this conclusion, but forsaking physical for digital is a load of bollocks” his year has had its fair hires the best of the best, and it has Perhaps it was the series of unfortunate ensuing events that led share of surprise departures been a joy working with each and me to this conclusion, but forsaking physical for digital is a load of T by infl uential developers. every one of you on a daily basis, bollocks. What should have, by today’s standards, been a seamless Following on from Peter Molyneux’s whether you were hired weeks exercise turned into the complete opposite. Like expecting to spend switch to the indie scene earlier this ago or decades ago. I have been the day at Disney World but ending up getting repeatedly punched year and the recent announcement fortunate enough to collaborate in the penis by a mob of angry midgets. With knuckledusters. of the departure of BioWare’s famed with a variety of disciplines, from I pre-purchased the game the night before it released so I pair of doctors, Cliff “Look at all code to art to marketing and could begin pre-loading it. South Africa’s Internet off erings have mah Gears of War!” Bleszinski has PR – it’s been one big, rewarding most defi nitely improved, and our 4MB line was sucking the left Epic Games. learning experience. I’m confi dent game down at great speeds. While our country may be getting The split is a huge surprise, that each project that is being built, its ass into gear when it comes to online access, it’s got its thumb considering that Cliff has pretty whether at Epic, Chair, PCF, or rammed so far up its butt when it comes to something else: much been the face of Epic for Impossible will be top notch and electricity. Turns out that slow Internet speeds aren’t the only the last few years, in addition to will please gamers and critics alike.” deterrent for would-be digital purchasers in SA – electricity is too being an indomitable creative Cliff and Epic wouldn’t reveal because about 20 minutes into my download, the power went force at the studio. He’s credited what the prolifi c developer’s next out and stayed out for 11 hours. in the design of everything from step will be, but Epic’s technical So I did what any other determined gamer would have: I Gears of War and Unreal, to Jazz director Tim Sweeney said this: installed Steam on my laptop and restarted the download Jackrabbit, and he’s been with “In 20 wonderful years with at work the next day. Unfortunately, because the company’s Epic for 20 years. In a letter to Epic, Cliff Bleszinski has grown phone lines were stolen nearly two years ago and were never colleagues, Bleszinski explained into a true design luminary, and replaced by Telkom, my workplace runs off a ludicrously his departure, and Epic posted a his contributions to the 'Unreal' overpriced wireless ISP – a wireless ISP that throttles downloads portion of that letter online: and 'Gears' series have helped from services like Steam. It took me 14 hours to download “I’ve been doing this since I was shape the game industry into Borderlands 2 and after that I still had to back up the fi les, a teenager, and outside of my what it is today. Cliff leaves Epic transfer them to my gaming PC at home and reinstall the game. sabbatical last year, I have been with our gratitude for his many At that stage, however, Steam’s servers were taking a serious going non-stop,” wrote Cliff . “I contributions, and our wishes for beating because, obviously, Borderlands 2 was now out. It took literally grew up in this business, continued success in the next me another hour to log in, bringing my total time (from digital as Mike [Capps] likes to say. And chapter of his life!” purchase to actually playing the game) up to around 15 hours now that I’m grown up, it’s time Having had such a remarkable, excluding the 11 hour electricity outage. for a much needed break.” intensely busy career, we Fortunately Borderlands 2 was entirely worth the test in “I will miss the projects, the don’t blame Cliff y for calling a patience, but I’d have been disappointed if I’d decided to pop my playtests, the debates, and most (hopefully temporary) time-out. digital shopping cherry with a game I ended up loathing. Worth importantly, the people. Epic only We wish him all the best. it or not, the eff ort has reiterated something: I’m nowhere near ready to give up physical for digital. - Miklós Szecsei
18 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Mass Eff ect series gets box set, awful DLC planning
A NEW CONTENDER ENTERS THE RING
ll three Mass Eff ect games are getting crammed At this year’s Tokyo into one gorgeous package known as the Mass Game Show, SEGA AEff ect Trilogy. The best part about the whole showed off their thing, however, is that it’s coming to PC, Xbox 360 and MMORPG Phantasy PlayStation 3 making this the fi rst time ever that PS3 Star Online 2 on Sony’s diminutive gamers will get to play through Mass Eff ect 1. but powerful PS The box set is due out on 6 November and will cost Vita, which will soon $59.99, or the same as any new console release so expect be the new home for it to be about R600 at retail in South Africa. the game alongside Now for the bad news. its PC and mobile There is a ton of Mass Eff ect DLC that’s been spread over counterparts. the three games. All in all, there’s probably close on 15-20 Don’t be fooled by hours of additional missions and gameplay to be found. the move to these For reasons that defy all logic, BioWare and Electronic tiny platforms; PSO2 looks just Arts have decided to make a complete hash of what DLC as fully-formed as is included in the Mass Eff ect Trilogy. DLC inclusion is any action-focused dependent on which platform you buy the box set for. MMORPG, with the The PC version gets the best DLC inclusion but even freedom to explore, that is woefully stingy. PC players will get “Bring Down the fi ght, customise and Sky” and “Pinnacle Station” DLC from Mass Eff ect 1. They’ll socialise. also get the Cerberus Network Pass (with access to Zaeed While news as a squad mate and his coupled loyalty missions for Mass of Phantasy Star Eff ect 2) and the Mass Eff ect 3 multiplayer pass. Online 2 has been fl oating around Those who choose to pick up the Trilogy box set Japan for some on Xbox 360 won’t get any Mass Eff ect 1 DLC but will time, it’s now been get the Cerberus Network Pass and the Mass Eff ect 3 confi rmed that the multiplayer pass. game will indeed PlayStation 3 players will get… who knows? At time of make its way to writing, BioWare and Electronic Arts have yet to confi rm Europe, which what DLC will be included in the PlayStation 3 version. means us locals That being said, for those of you who have recently might actually have picked up copies of Mass Eff ect 2 and Mass Eff ect 3 for a chance to get stuck in, although PlayStation 3, the good news is that you’ll be able to buy it’s likely that we’ll a digital copy of Mass Eff ect 1 on its own. Mass Eff ect have to go the 1 will be available on 6 November 2012 and will cost digital distribution $14.99 via the PlayStation Store. route. Regardless of Want to know what DLC is missing? Aside from the how it pans out in two DLC packs for Mass Eff ect 1 missing from the Xbox our market, you can 360 and PS3 versions, the following will be absent across expect availability all platforms: “Lair of the Shadow Broker”, “Arrival”, of the title in its F2P “Kasumi – Stolen Memory” and “Overlord” for Mass form (there’s talk of an optional retail Eff ect 2. “From Ashes”, all of the multiplayer DLC packs, bundle, presumably “Leviathan” and the newly announced “Omega” will be for the Vita release) missing from Mass Eff ect 3. on PC during Q1/ All in all we estimate that that’s about fi fteen hours of Q2 next year and DLC that won’t be included in the Mass Eff ect Trilogy box hopefully the set – the same box set that has been dubbed “the defi nitive remaining platforms Mass Eff ect experience”. soon after.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 19 / BYTES /
The Game Stalker Sales fi gures! Get yer Give me a reason, bro sales fi gures right here! Unsurprisingly I always seem to write a column about rAge around this time of year. It makes sense I think, eople who like to justify confi dent that shipping 4.5 million considering this is probably the biggest event on the their purchases of games by copies to store shelves worldwide South African gaming calendar, and gamers come from Pwaving sales numbers at other for the game’s launch was not a all over the country to attend. And of course by the time peoples’ faces and yelling, “See, I’m gamble for which they’re destined this goes to print, rAge will be over and starting to fade in totally in there with X number of to be burnt. They’ve revealed that as our memories as we prepare ourselves for the end of year similarly cool, hip people who’ve of June 2012, the Resi franchise has gaming rush. bought these exact games on sold over 50 million units worldwide, Every year for me rA ge is a diff erent experience. I’ve been which I’ve splurged all my money!” and they believe that the series is attending almost as long as it’s been running, and from what can look forward to some exciting “just as popular today as it was 15 I’ve been told (I’m getting old, I don’t remember!) that’s a validation in this news post. years ago when the fi rst title made decade this year. Ten years of bringing gaming direct to the First up, the ever-ludicrous fi gures its debut.” Time will tell how this public in one smorgasbord – that’s pretty impressive. of the FIFA series with FIFA 13. The works out for them. My experience of rAge has changed fundamentally over game managed to move over 4.5 Finally, there’s Mists of Pandaria, the years. I went from visitor, to journalist, to personality, to million units within its fi rst fi ve days of the panda-laden expansion exhibitor – and this year I’m occupying the strange territory being on store shelves. This includes to Blizzard’s eternal MMORPG of independent journo crossed with exhibitor. sales across all platforms. One million behemoth World of Warcraft. In I look forward to it every year, regardless of the stress of those units were sold in the UK its fi rst week, it moved 2.7 million that often accompanies attending. For many who are either alone, and within the fi rst 48 hours units – not counting sales in China. LANning or simply visiting it’s an intense experience but of the game having gone on sale, it Blizzard has reported that the you can actually go home at any time, which means it’s not became responsible for holding the expansion has caused the game’s generally physically exhausting. lofty title of being the game with the global player base to surge beyond For those who are there, working every day however, highest concurrent online user count the ten-million subscriber mark the less glamorous side of the show often emerges as we of all EA’s titles to date. 800,000 FIFA once again. “With Mists of Pandaria, approach it with both a sense of anticipation and excitement, 13 players were mixing it up online on we set out to expand on the sense coupled with anxiety and dread. The sore feet from hours September 30th. of fun and discovery that's always of standing. The exhaustion at the end of the day. The fact Next we have Resident Evil 6: been at the heart of World of that you still need to go to work the following week (a day a game which we didn’t like very Warcraft – in addition to adding a off ? What is that?) and you don’t really feel rested. The sore much, giving it a score of 58 in last huge variety of new content and face from constantly smiling seems like a minor complaint in month’s issue. However, we don’t features to the game,” said Mike amongst all that but you feel it at the end of the weekend. strictly have sales fi gures as of yet: Morhaime, Blizzard CEO. “It's been Some of us spend hours standing around merely onlonlyy tthehe number of units CaCapcompcom gragratifyingtifying toto see the results of all of supervising our products and staving off the boredom of has shipped onto store shelves. It’s tthehe worworkk we put iintonto tthishis expansexpansionion being confi ned to a single space for three days. Some of us a game that’s polarised both critcriticsics and to hear all of the ppositiveositive wear our voices hoarse as we talk constantly for three days and the public, but Capcom seems feedback from playersplayers so far.”far.” running, promoting our products, emceeing tournaments, giving presentations and in between it all talking to friends who share our passion for all things gaming related. And yet we return year after year, complaints and all. Why is this? Is it because it’s a great marketing opportunity for all involved? 25,000 people through the doors is nothing to be sneezed at. Is it for the opportunity to network with potential business contacts? With around 80 exhibitors, again this is indeed a brilliant opportunity. rAge is indeed an important opportunity to take advantage of all the marketing and networking opportunities that present themselves over the three days, however the real reason people continue to attend rAge, year after year after year is for the love of video games. Say what you like, that’s the only real reason. Exhibitors, gamers, journalists, LANners, nerds, geeks – and I proudly count myself in the latter categories as well – the love of video games is what draws us together as a community. The opportunity to play beta code before release date. To meet developers. To see the latest gaming and geeky merchandise on off er. Love it or hate it, the weird and wonderful cosplay. To stay on top of the latest trends in gaming, in accessories, in comic book culture. This is the reason we attend the really Awesome gaming expo. - Pippa Tshabalala
20 November 2012 www.nag.co.za WILL Now is your DEVELOP GAMES FOR chance, Obsidian FOOD Throwing your money at game developers with a pipe dream is all well and good, but what if you could actually invest your cash in their endeavours? Well now you can with Gambitious, a new crowd funding website designed purely for game developers looking for more than a bsidian Entertainment – once a proud studio put simple hand-out. together from the remains of Black Isle after its Gambitious Oclosure – has had more than its share of turmoil allows for two these last few years. After publisher issues during the types of crowd development of Fallout: New Vegas and Alpha Protocol funding: pledges and investments. and the lacklustre performance of Dungeon Siege III, the When a game studio has decided to undergo a radical shift in direction. project is created, No more publishers, no more nonsense; Obsidian has now the developers can joined Double Fine Productions in the attempt to build a specify how much triple-A game off the funding from Kickstarter. they’re looking The studio’s game, currently entitled Project Eternity, for as pledges, is set to be a party-based isometric RPG with rich tactical investments, or combat, immersive narrative elements and plenty of both – the key character customisation. One of the aspects that the diff erence between the two is that team seems to be most excited about is the opportunity investors actually to introduce dark, adult themes to the game that would have a stake in the usually put off a publisher. Of course, with crowd funding, company they’re the gamers get to decide which projects look enticing to giving money to, them, and from the success of this project it’s clear that and, consequently, they like what they’ve seen so far. Obsidian went in with a the studios can be goal of $1.1M and at the time of writing, with just one week held responsible to go, has more than doubled that – don’t be surprised if by the investors. they manage to crack the $3M mark. Additionally, investors don’t get any fancy perks like pre-orders, beta access or oversized T-shirts: it’s a Don’t drop the BASS straight-forward business investment in exchange for equity. It’s too early to tell how this new way of going about crowd-funding will pan out, but we’ve already seen a couple of high-level studios jump on s a rather sneaky addition to Revolution Software’s board or express recently successful Kickstarter campaign for a new interest in working ABroken Sword game, the studio told backers that this way, including they’d get started on a sequel to their 1994 gritty science- Stronghold creators fi ction adventure game Beneath a Steel Sky if they Firefl y Studios and reached $1M in pledges. However, once the campaign even 3D Realms. You know, in case the closed with the one million mark nowhere in sight, BASS catastrophe that was fans became worried. Thankfully, Revolution has now the development told eager gamers that BASS 2 will go ahead regardless, of Duke Nukem with work beginning on the game as soon as Broken Forever isn’t enough Sword is out the door. Hooray! to put off every single person on the planet.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 21 / BYTES /
The Indie Investigator Black Ops II’s zombie Content versus mechanics At a recent game dev meet-up in Cape Town, I off ered a rather mode dials it up to 1,000 broad presentation on the subject of mechanics-driven vs. content-driven design. Within that murky, brackish body of ideas, there was the half-formed opinion that a lot of developers make the entirely wrong choice when creating their own games. To be clear, all games have a basic level of both mechanics and content. A perfectly mechanics-free game is just a fi lm. A perfectly content-free game is... well, literally nothing. So when a game is being “driven” by one or the other, it’s more of an attitude or focal point than an absolute philosophy. “Content-driven design is all about focusing on the classic sprawl, the “sandbox game”, the idea of getting lost in a huge world with X many enemies, Y many environments...”
Generally speaking, a good mechanics-driven game contains just a few components linked in a tight web e’ve always had a map against increasingly diffi cult of interactivity, much like the “unifi ed design” theory very, very soft, brain- waves of zombies in Survival mentioned in this column a few months back. If you want Wfl avoured spot for mode, however, the game will a game built around a gravity gun, time rewinding and Treyarch’s zombie mode that still cater for that. It can still Scarlett Johannson (for some reason or another), you should has become a staple of all their be played solo or with friends, be maximising your fun by getting all of those components Call of Duty games since World and you’ll build defenses and functioning with one another instead of in isolation. So at at War. It’s a deliciously fun bit hold out as long as possible. some hypothetical game point, Scarlett Johannson should of cooperative survival, and we The maps Survival mode is set appear from a portal to the future, wielding said gun against always knew the undead would in are custom-made takes on you. Gravity fi ghts for everyone! return in Call of Duty: Black Ops environments from Tranzit. Content-driven design is all about focusing on the classic when it releases on November Another exciting piece of sprawl, the “sandbox game”, the idea of getting lost in a huge 13th. Now, Treyarch has seen fi t zombie info involves the inclusion world with X many enemies, Y many environments, hundreds to reveal details on what we can of competitive play. It’s set in a of item combinations and, of course, a bajillion guns ala expect from the latest iteration. mode dubbed Grief – but the Borderlands 2 (extra wub wub optional, but always a nice touch). First on the list of exciting folks at Treyarch have nicknamed Instead of relying on the exploration and combination of a few changes and fresh features is an it “4z4”. Your sole objective is to elements to extend an initially small playspace, you’re spreading entire zombie campaign, called outlive an opposing team of four your bets by making the starting playspace a lot bigger. Instead of Tranzit. It’s the biggest zombie survivors. To aid you in this, you’re just a gravity gun, you also have a portal creator, a glue gun and a world the Treyarch team has ever able to “grief” the other team – snackwich maker. Instead of Scarlett, you have the entire cast of created. You’re not staying in one which we’re guessing involves The Avengers. place this time: instead, you travel activating various obstacles and Which approach should you be taking? Generally speaking, to multiple areas, reaching them annoyances that’ll make it diffi cult the games which survive (and thrive) in most indie communities either by foot or by bus (it’s not yet for the enemy team to keep the are the ones that focus on the mechanics fi rst and content clear if this bus is controllable, or zombie threat contained, leading second. Both are important, but mechanics should come fi rst completely on-rails), all the way to their demise. simply because they are easier to prototype: a well-designed fi ghting off the undead, defending In addition to all this, you’re demo of your idea can be rattled out in a few days rather than a yourself and your mates. Tranzit able to tweak and customise the few weeks (or months!) and the overall investment is lower if it now includes buildable objects, three game modes in various turns out your idea needs to be scrapped. And since scrapping which Treyarch describes as ways in custom games. So if will happen nine times out of ten no matter what your Game elements that can be combined to you’d prefer to make it so only Developer Power Level may be, this represents an important open up new parts of the world, headshots can kill zombies, or saving of valuable time and eff ort. or to make weapons. So, basically, if you’d like to set your starting Content is a valuable component of any game’s design, but it Tranzit it a sort of rolling zombie round in Survival mode, you can usually be brought in after the core concept has been proven. campaign, spread across multiple can. With all these changes, Some of the best completed games out there strike a remarkably defensible areas rather than the the zombie mode is practically good balance between mechanics and content, but when you zombie mode tradition of a single, an entirely new game bundled have to start somewhere, it won’t be with the sprawling world. large area to defend. No word with Black Ops II. Not bad for It’ll be with a far more intimate situation involving just the most yet on what happens when you something that evolved from important elements of the game, a couple of “trial” scenarios and actually fi nish this campaign. a silly distraction at the end of just enough content to hold everything together. If you prefer defending a single World at War, ‘ey? That, and preferably something related to Scarlett Johannson. - Rodain Joubert
22 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Old-school games industrydustry veterans attempt old- school role-playing gameame
f you stroll over to the magical landd ofof KickstarterKickstaarterteter (depending on when you’re readingg this), yyouou mimightght spot Ia project simply dubbed Old-Schoolool RPGRPG – althoughalthough that’s likely not the fi nal title. What makes this project tickle our excite zone the way that it does is the fact that long- time industry veterans Tom Hall and Brenda Brathwaite are at the helm of this crowd-funded endeavour. Also, John Romero’s involved, because his development studio Loot Drop is developing the game in conjunction with HOW Brathwaite and Hall. UNEXPECTED! If you’re scratching your head, wondering who Brathwaite and Hall are, the former is a veteran of the One of gaming’s Wizardry series (following which she worked on Dungeons worse-kept secrets, & Dragons), while Hall was a founder of id Software, the development of and he’s worked on titles like Commander Keen, Doom, a third core game in the Dragon Age Wolfenstein and Anachronox. They’re looking for one series, has now been million dollars to make their old-school RPG happen, and confi rmed by EA. at the time of writing, they’re sitting at $205,992 with 27 It’s called Dragon days to go. It’s described as a “classic fi rst-person, fantasy/ Age III: Inquisition; sci-fi RPG” in which you create four characters and explore. it’s going to run on It’s got everything you expect from the RPGs of yesteryear, DICE’s Frostbite 2 like skills (!) and characters (!) and NPCs (!) and combat (!). engine; and it’s set The most unique facet of its Kickstarter campaign is that, if to be released in late the game reaches its stretch goal of 1.9 million dollars, we’ll 2013. This release window has one giant get two separate, but intertwined games. implication: it’s likely “If you’re kind enough to help us reach this amount of set for release on funding, we’ll create TWO FULL games – one designed next-gen consoles by Brenda Brathwaite and one designed by Tom Hall. Not which all rumours only will you cast, smash and slash your way through two and sources say will full games, the endings of each game provide exclusive arrive around that NEW game beginnings in the other! Import your crew from same time. Of course, Tom’s game into Brenda’s and vice versa. The ending you you can expect it to create aff ects not only your new game beginning (if you launch on PCs as well. As for Wii U, well, we choose it), but also provides unique advantages that you can defi nitely see an earn no other way.” RPG working with If you head over to www.kickstarter.com before the console’s tablet November 4th, you’ll be able to help back the project. controller, and we $15 gets you a digital copy of the game. Pledge $10,000 know that Frostbite or more and Brathwaite, Hall and Romero will deliver the is highly scalable to game in a box on a red velvet pillow to your door. fi t diff erent levels of hardware, so it could certainly happen. No promises though. Other than a The Secret World stays afl oat handful of rumours, there’s not much uncom’s latest foray into the MMO space has information available had its ups and downs; The Secret World had about the game itself. Fa few good ideas going for it but ultimately the We do know that the execution of the game as a whole lead to average development team performance in the market. Down but not beaten, has taken on tons of the studio has spent the last couple of months player feedback and will try to incorporate restructuring its internal teams and has actually some of the more managed to pull itself up to a level which is profi table. popular requests into From here on out, CEO Ole Schreiner says that the the new title. There’s future for the game could lie in the free-to-play also talk of the game model, and that they “defi nitely have the tools to turn following the open- The Secret World into a free-to-play game – or even world exploration a hybrid – should we decide to do that somewhere of the Elder Scrolls down the line.” series, especially the However, they seem confi dent that the solution recent and highly- successful Skyrim, they’re currently running with is working for them, which the team has both in terms of their internal workings and what they reportedly explored can off er their players. in great detail to see what makes it tick.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 23 / BYTES /
Miktar’s Meanderings Angry Birds Star Wars is a thing Ceti eel, in your ear, can you hear? Rump-Titty-Titty-Tum-TAH-Tee!
I don’t remember who it was that introduced me to the term “earworm,” but it got stuck in my head, much like the concept it describes. I think it came from German research into the “stuck song syndrome” phenomenon: the way a song, or part of one, will get wedged into your thinker and just sit there, looping. Earworms aren’t new: Edgar Allan Poe had an 1845 short-story called “The Imp of the Perverse” that mentioned the idea. With modern music producers trying very hard to make sure their song is the one you remember, research into more eff ective “hooks” has led to some truly insidiously designed chord progressions. Which when combined with catchy open- ended lyrics, result in earworms like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” [dammit Miktar, Ed].
“If the brain were so simple we could understand nd it’s a thing that’s coming equally stupid role of C-3PO. The pigs it, we would be so simple we couldn’t.” to every conceivable platform will naturally be the Empire, with a Aknown to mankind: iOS, Darth Vader king pig and pig-shaped - Lyall Watson Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Mac, PC Death Star shown off in artwork and Windows Phone. We’re betting released so far. Why do earworms get affi xed in our heads? It’s not that well you’ll be able to buy the game on a The game will take on-board the understood. People with damage to their temporal lobe, which is toaster as well. gravity gameplay mechanics that involved in auditory perception and houses the primary auditory Rovio’s phenomenon is no stranger made a recent debut in Angry Birds cortex, often get a condition known as “palinacousis”. They’ll to movie cross-overs what with Angry Space. Rovio, however, is insisting keep hearing a sound, even when the physical sound has long Birds Rio hitting iOS devices alongside that this won’t be a simple re-skinning since stopped playing. So it’s likely, and perhaps obvious, that the the Twentieth Century Fox fi lm. Now, of Space, and that the birds and auditory cortex is responsible to some degree. however, it’s Lucasfi lm’s turn to team pigs will have proper characters and Auditory imagery – the subjective experience of hearing up with the world’s most identifi able personalities. John Williams’ iconic something in the absence of auditory stimulation – has been mobile games IP. soundtrack will also be a part of the studied to some length. But since we can’t just fl ip up the hood Angry Birds Star Wars will feature whole package. and peek inside the brain-engine while it’s running to see what’s iconic locations and moments from Angry Birds Star Wars will be out on making the noise, research is tricky. In 1909 the German anatomist the original trilogy, only populated 8 November; listen closely and you Korbinian Brodmann used the “Nissl stain” technique to “dye” with birds and pigs. The red bird will might hear millions of voices suddenly parts of the brain, giving us the Brodmann regional map of be playing Luke Skywalker, the yellow cry out in terror. Sales fi gures will the cerebral cortex. Thanks to his research, we have a general bird will be Han Solo and that stupid, probably silence them. That or fan- understanding of which parts of the cerebral cortex do what, based egg-laying white bird will play the rage-induced suicide on their activity and cytoarchitectonics (structure). That’s why we know which bits of the brain are involved in motor functions, sight, sound, blood pressure, reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, and so on. Or at least, we know which bits light up with neural activity, when we’re exposed to certain stimulus. Star Wars: First Assault crops up again So we know areas 41 and 42 of the Brodmann area, the Primary and Auditory Association Cortex, are prime suspects in the case ack in August, a trademark fi ling might be the remnants of Star Wars: of earworms. A friend made the astute, if conjectural, observation for a game called Star Wars: Battlefront III, which was reported as that earworms are probably just our brain’s affi nity for the purity BFirst Assault appeared online. cancelled by numerous developers of mathematical structures: since repeating a known structure Now, however, “box art” for an Xbox who worked on the project, despite takes less energy than assimilating or constructing a new one. Still LIVE Arcade game has been dug up LucasArts never even admitting the doesn’t explain why they trigger arbitrarily though. and shared on NeoGAF (along with a game existed. Tangentially related is “procedural memory”, responsible plethora of other unannounced XBLA for us knowing how to do things like tying our shoes, reading, titles). The artwork is for Star Wars: First or driving a car. By repeating a complex action over and over, Assault and despite how often we’re we gain the ability to trigger the relevant neural systems told never to judge things by a cover, it without the need for conscious control or attention. We looks as if this could be a team-based see this echoed in “Game Transfer Phenomena”, a relatively online shooter of sorts. modern examination of residual thoughts, images, and feelings At time of writing, LucasArts is yet that remain after playing a game. Devote suffi cient time and to even acknowledge the game’s attention to a repeating activity, and before Pavlov’s dog can existence. They issued the following bark, we’ve gained a weird autonomous playback of the activity, statement to IGN when pushed for that for some people even manifest in dreams. comment: “It is an exciting time at our And since games are by their nature, looping, repeating sets of company right now, however we don't call/response systems, it’s no wonder we get so easily conditioned. have any announcements at this time.” - Miktar Dracon It’s been speculated that this game
24 November 2012 www.nag.co.za StarCraft II might
PS3 LOSES go free-to-play SOME WEIGHT
Just in time to take on Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U, Sony has announced the long-rumoured new PS3. Dubbed the “Super Slim”, it’s smaller than the current Slim model by 20% and weights a quarter less, but the most interesting change is how Sony has decided to emulate Microsoft’s approach to built-in storage. Two versions will ver the last year or so, Blizzard has experimented reach our shores: with free-to-play as a viable model for some of its an HDD bundle that features an internal games. WoW already includes limited F2P gameplay O 500GB hard drive, which is very common among those MMOs that still run at a recommended subscription charges, and now StarCraft II’s lead designer retail price of has said that Blizzard is “looking at free-to-play as an option R3,999.99, and an for the multiplayer”. This is by no means a confi rmation, but HDD-less version if it turns out to be the case, we could see a radical change in that has just 12GB of both the competitive and casual online RTS scene – especially fl ash storage built-in considering that C&C is already heading in this direction. and will retail for R2,899.99. If you’d like to expand the storage capabilities of the 12GB model, a separate 250GB Ubisoft rewrites hard drive can be purchased for an history with three-part as-yet undetermined price. This extra drive Assassin’s Creed III DLC can only be used with the new PS3. To be clear, bisoft has announced a three-part, single- that’s a R1,100 player DLC pack for Assassin’s Creed III. price premium UEntitled The Tyranny of King George, the for the expanded DLC will be episodic in nature and aims to throw storage. While the out the series’ penchant for historical accuracy in low price of the favour of something a little quirky. 12GB model will The Tyranny of King George takes place after obviously suit those the end of the American Revolution. Instead of people looking to returning power to the people and becoming the use the PS3 as a media centre, or American hero he is today, George Washington those who don’t seizes control of the fl edgling nation and crowns plan on buying himself king of the New World. This goes against many downloadable everything Connor has been fi ghting against and as titles, we can’t help such King Washington fi nds himself on the but baulk at the assassin’s “to-do” list. price diff erence Along with this announcement, Ubisoft between the two. unveiled two multiplayer DLC packs. This It’s not clear yet if brings the total amount of DLC up to fi ve the local versions will have any other portions, which means Assassin’s Creed III bundle diff erences will be getting a Season Pass as well. Pricing is like included set at $30 for the Season Pass, which will result in games, cables or an eventual 25% saving on all fi ve pieces. controllers, but we certainly hope that they do.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 25 / BYTES /
DISTRIBUTORS Apex Interactive 011 796 5040 Where’s that other ASUS SA 011 783 5450
BT Games 0861 4 GAMES Compuseed 011 781 XCOM gone then? 8880/2/3 Comstar 011 314 5812 STARBREEZE Core Gaming 011 535 9000 ANNOUNCE Corex 011 655 8800 THEIR NEW PROJECT EA South Africa 011 516 8300 In a colourful Evetech Solutions 012 326 6547 change of pace ESET 0860 313 872 for the Swedish developer, Frontosa 011 466-0038 Starbreeze Studios Incredible Connection 0860 011 700 has announced their newest title: a Intel Corporation 011 806 4530 vibrant fantasy aff air entitled Brothers: Look & Listen 011 467 3717 on 011 704 2679. A Tale of Two Sons. Megarom 011 361 4800 It’s still early days, NAG but given the look Microsoft/Xbox 0860 225 567 and tone of the Musica 0860 687 422 game seen thus far, it’s a change in Phoenix Software 011 803 5437 direction compared to Starbreeze’s Prima Interactive 011 799 7800 previous eff orts Rectron 011 203 1000 with Chronicles iraxis’ proper turn-based the drawing board. If it’s to be of Riddick, The Samsung 0860 726 7864 isometric strategy remake believed, then the game has Darkness and Silverscreen Trading 011 794 9749 Fof the classic X-Com series, retained its 1960s setting and the Syndicate. This is XCOM: Enemy Unknown, has general vibe that it’s conveyed how they describe Sonic Informed 011 3145800 been getting all of the attention when previously marketed, but it’s their newly announced title: Ster Kinekor 011 445 7700 lately, given that the game will now switched to a third-person
If your company isn’t listed here, phone “A man, clinging Entertainment have only recently launched perspective, with squad-based to life. His two sons, by time you read this and is an gameplay mechanics similar desperate to cure appropriately excellent rebirth of to those of Star Wars: Republic their ailing father, the series. Nobody’s been casting Commando where you’re in are left with but many thoughts to the other charge of a squad of agents who one option. They XCOM, the fi rst-person shooter can be ordered around each level. must set out upon from 2K Marin that caused so There’s allegedly also no a journey to fi nd much controversy among series mention of PC as a platform in the and bring back the ‘Water of Life’ as fans when fi rst announced. We survey either, only 360 and PS3, they come to rely haven’t heard anything about it with surveyed people apparently SUPPORT LINES on one another to for a really long time. being asked how they’d feel if the survive. One must Got a legal boxed game and need some Now, Kotaku are reporting game was made available as a $30 technical help? Before you call please be strong where the do the following. Update your system that – as was apparently alluded downloadable title, or if it was a other is weak, brave software, drivers and have a look online to in a recent marketing survey full, $60 retail release. More on this where the other is for a game patch. Just these simple tasks – the game has gone back to later, when/if it becomes offi cial. fearful, they must eliminate 93% of all problems – it’s a made be… Brothers.” up statistic but probably close enough. Swedish fi lmmaker Josef Publishers: Activision / Blizzard 2K Games Fares is apparently Rockstar / Ubisoft Codemasters NC-Soft / Namco-Bandai / Disney involved in the E-mail: [email protected] project. Fares has a Number: 0861 987 363 No Doubt/Activision lawsuit history of directing comedies, so we’ll Publishers: Microsoft Xbox see what that means Number: 0800 991 550 fi nally draws to a close for this game. In a teaser trailer, the Publisher: Electronic Arts brothers aid each e-mail: [email protected] hances are you’ve probably tracks were played in Band Hero. Instead, other in moving Telephone: 0860 EAHELP/324357 completely forgotten about this Activision made their likenesses usable across a fantasy by now, but back in 2009 band across the game’s entire song catalogue. C land, with a green No Doubt went after Activision, fi ling a The case was fi nally due to appear in the giant seemingly lawsuit that stated Activision were only Los Angeles Superior Court on October joining them. More meant to use the in-game likenesses of 15th, but the two parties instead agreed details when we No Doubt’s members when their own to settle out of court. have them.
26 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
Bethesda forms new development studio, is on the
hunt for free-to-play experts Pre-orders www.lookandlisten.co.za
ethesda Softworks has revealed that they’re setting up a new development house in Austin, Texas, going PC Bby the grandiose name of Battlecry Studios. The F1 Race Stars November studio is headed up by Rich Vogel, a former vice president Assassin's Creed III November 23rd of BioWare Austin. He most recently served as executive 22 CANS producer on Star Wars: The Old Republic. Vogel’s been BioShock Infi nite February 26th 2013 WILL MAKE working on MMOs for the past ten years, both at Electronic ONLY ONE Arts and Sony Online Entertainment. GAME, SAYS While the announcement of the studio’s formation also Xbox 360 MOLYNEUX contained word that it’ll be working on an “unannounced project”, Halo 4 November 6th Peter Molyneux’s job postings that immediately followed allude to the fact that the Crysis 3 March 2013 sudden switch to studio’s looking to dive straight into the online free-to-play space. indie life, free of Tomb Raider March 5th 2013 Eurogamer spotted job postings which include a “monetization Microsoft’s ever- designer” and a platform lead position which requires experience watchful gaze, with “design and implementation of microtransaction systems hasn’t stopped and services.” The listings also suggest a release on consoles, PS3 him from making as Bethesda state that “console experience – preferably next Hitman: Absolution November 20th his trademark generation (PS3, Xbox 360)” would be preferred. There’s grandiose promises Far Cry 3 November 30th speculation that this all could relate to Fallout in some way. Anyone and sweeping statements that fancy a free-to-play Fallout MMO? Dead Space 3 March make people sit back and say, “Wait... what?” Wii In his latest WWE 13 November 2nd burst of weirdness, Molyneux told Ding dong, the witch Rise of the Guardians November 23rd VG24/7 that his Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 November 30th new development isn’t dead just yet studio, 22 Cans, is “only going to make 3DS one game and that’s it.” That game will Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate November only come after the Mission 22 “experiments” that his studio is Sonic & All-Stars Racing November 16th currently working Transformed on, the fi rst being Wreck-It Ralph November 30th Curiosity: What’s Inside the Cube? – a game where millions of players Slenderman is chip away at a latinumGames has confi rmed that Bayonetta single, giant cube 2 is in development, but here’s something that until one player Pmight come as a shock: it’s going to be a Wii U watching you... discovers the secret exclusive. at its core, a secret The reasons for this move are numerous but amount to a f you’ve lost faith in big AAA companies’ abilities to which Molyneux simple little thing one needs to develop games at this level: put together a seriously scary game, then maybe says is “life- money. Bayonetta publisher SEGA decided not to back the you need to start digging into the world of indie changing.” I “But everything game’s sequel, forcing Platinum to seek a partner elsewhere. studios. In particular, anything to do with Slender: a that we do, every They found Nintendo who were interested both in covering chilling fi rst-person exploration game that recently thought that we the costs and, more importantly for them, securing another took the online world by storm with its incredible have, every moment potential must-have title for their upcoming platform. mood and immersive qualities. Now the game’s of a day, is all The studio has only praise for their new partner, claiming developer has teamed up with indie devs Blue Isle working towards in a press release that “Nintendo, as a company, is dedicated Studios to bring about a fully-featured sequel entitled this full game,” he to establishing a new future for the games industry” and that Slender: The Arrival. says. “22 Cans is they needed to secure this partnership because “the console The game is still in early stages of development but only going to make games market is in a state of upheaval, so establishing a the few screenshots available indicate that the visuals one game and that’s it. You just new game franchise requires a considerable amount of will, will be taken to a level more fi tting of a game that will release that single determination, and love.” Or cash, in other words. cost you money. In addition to a better looking game, experience then you Before you get too excited, bear in mind that this the developers are keen to bring in a strong narrative as refi ne it and adapt exclusivity doesn’t mean that Bayonetta 2 will be a launch well as a much larger game world to explore. it like – and don’t title for the new console. If we were to guess, we’d say you There’s no word on a release date yet, but we know think of this in any could start expecting something around this time next year. that it’s in development for PC only at this stage. We way other than an suggest that you keep an eye on Steam and Desura as analogy – when a likely release platforms. TV company makes a soap opera.”
28 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
Well hello, sexy lady! Caption of the month Ladies and germs, we’d like to introduce you to Every month we’ll choose a Roxy, our offi cial rAge mascot for 2012. It’s not that we don’t love Scarlett anymore, it’s just screenshot from a random game and that rAge turns 10 this year, and we thought it write a bad caption for it. Your job is was time for a new babe sporting some cool to come up with a better one. The gear. So we briefed winner will get a copy of Of Orcs and DMC: DEVIL South African illustratorr Men for PC from Apex. Send your MAY CRY Warren Louw, who also DELAYED ON did Scarlett for us back captions to [email protected] with the PC, PORTING in 2010, and our vision subject line “November caption”. OUTSOURCED for a rAge/NAG gaming hick was created. We c Ninja Theory’s think she’s hot and reimagining of would play her in a Hideki Kamiya’s video game any day. Devil May Cry Every month we’ll series is coming hide her somewhere in to consoles on 15 the magazine – your January 2013. It’s also coming to PC mission is to go fi nd her.. but Capcom has now revealed that Send your sighting the PC version has to [email protected] been delayed as the with the subject line porting project has “November Roxy”, andd been outsourced to of course your contactt another developer. details, and you could A company win a prize. called Polish QA is handling the PC port. They’ve done porting and October losers - you! localisation work for Capcom in the NAG’s lame attempt at humour / REVIEWS / past, which includes Gollum’s yonger brother Dave, waited in vain for his brother to come home. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron porting Super Street Best Yet
he Transformers franchise of video games has been something of a mixed bag, and goes quite a long T way to prove that there is a distinct gap in quality between games based on movies, and games not based on movies. In recent years, there have been three games Fighter 4 Arcade released to support Michael Bay’s cinematic exploits, and one “historical” game (in the form of War for Cybertron) that didn’t coincide with a fi lm release. This last game was the best of the four, and by a long shot. And now developer High Moon have added even more to the Transformers canon in the form of Fall of Cybertron, the second game not associated with a major motion picture and the sequel to War for Cybertron. And it’s even better, easily taking the title of best Transformers game. That may not seem like much, Edition and Street but the truth is that Fall of Cybertron is a very decent game, all in all, and one that action fans (and fans of the franchise, of course) will fi nd not only fun and challenging, but also rather addictive. High Moon opted to go with a similar style of game dynamic for Fall of Cybertron. Using a combination of robotic and vehicular forms, the player takes on wave after wave of enemy combatants during the campaign. Fighter X Tekken to The game will assign roles to the player, and characters like Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream are all up for play. The player will switch sides during the campaign, as the story requires, with a fi nale that allows the
player to pick sides. The campaign is fairly long, and well DETAILS worth experiencing. The story isn’t the greatest, but the the PC. Platforms dynamic environments, great, detailed graphics and often 360 / PC chaotic combat make for an excellent experience. It isn’t PS3 / Wii just another cover-based shooter – using diff erent weapons Genre and upgrades, as well as varying between robot and vehicle, Third-person will allow the player a varied and often strategic approach. shooter In terms of multiplayer, Fall of Cybertron off ers a few Age restriction options. There’s co-op for up to four players, as well as 12 competitive modes. Escalation is a Horde-style mode that Multiplayer According to can be rather fun, but the multiplayer – apart from co-op Local – is relatively forgettable. This is in part due to the fact that None player number restrictions keep things a bit tame, with a Online maximum of twelve players in any given game. 12 players Still, it can be a lot of fun, and the overall package is a Developer good way to kill a few hours. The campaign is the shining High Moon jewel of the package, off ering some replay incentive too, Studios with weapon blue-prints and voice logs to be discovered in Website the massive levels. Capcom: “Because www.transform In short, it is the best Transformers game we have seen ersgame.com from High Moon studios. Publisher - Ramjet Activision Distributor Megarom High Moon have created the best Transformers 80 game yet in the form of Fall of Cybertron it’s being developed
PLUS Lots of chaotic action / Looks pretty
MINUS Nobody found Average multiplayer / Not very deep out of house by a 76 October 2012 www.nag.co.za her; we win! diff erent developer from Ninja Theory there are logistical THIS things involved. But MONTH’S the plan is to get it out shortly after LOOT the ship date for the PS3 Phenom Wireless console version.” Controller valued at Unfortunately, R449.95. Sponsored at the recent by dreamGEAR and Tokyo Game Show, Musica Capcom confi rmed that they cannot give a concrete Last months winner release date for the OPPA GANGNAM STYLE! - Ricardo De Vasconcelos PC version.
30 May 2012 www.nag.co.za Release list Dates subject to change without notice November week 1 MaK is where Super Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Vita Assassin's Creed III 360 / PS3 Mario Galaxy collides LEGO The Lord of 360 / 3DS / DS / PC the Rings PS3 / Wii / Vita Need for Speed: Most Wanted 360 / PC / PS3 / Vita with Minecraft Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth 360 WWE 13 360 / PS3 / Wii Halo 4 360 Mass Eff ect Trilogy 360 / PC Rocksmith 360 / PC / PS3 November week 2 Call of Duty: Black Ops II 360 / PC / PS3 / Vita The Hip-Hop Dance Experience 360 / Wii Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 360 / 3DS / PC / PS3 / Wii U / Vita Spy Hunter 3DS The Sims 3: Seasons PC Wonderbook: Book of Spells PS3
November week 3 Hitman: Absolution 360 / PC / PS3 ew construction-/invention-/ “With our project, MaK, we’re Assassin's Creed III PC crafting-centric games seem setting out to capture the feeling Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two 360 / PC / PS3 / Wii Nto be announced every ten of exploring something really new. minutes, and MaK (pronounced To that end, we’re building a unique Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion 3DS “make”) is one of them. At fi rst glance, world with its own laws of physics it’s a game about building, naturally and we’re serving up the player with November week 4 drawing comparison to Minecraft, but a set of freeform building blocks it’s set in space, and your character to build structures and functional Assassin's Creed III Wii U is able to jump between diff erent contraptions. At its core MaK is a Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 360 / PS3 / Wii / Wii U fl oating asteroid- and planet-like physics sandbox with tethers, rockets, F1 Race Stars 360 / PC / PS3 fl oating objects, fl ipping gravity across explosives, teleportation, relative them in analogous fashion to moving gravity and potentially unlimited room Far Cry 3 360 / PC / PS3 around similarly fl oating bodies in for creativity.” LittleBigPlanet Karting PS3 Super Mario Galaxy. Where it diff ers “The gameplay comes from a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale PS3 / Vita from Minecraft and puts its own variety of fun game modes that spin on construction, is that it seems we’re wrapping around this sandbox. Rabbids Party Land Wii U to be more about putting together From single player mind benders to Rayman Legends Wii U contraptions than manipulating the competitive multiplayer modes like Rise of the Guardians 360 / 3DS / DS actual game world. You do so using our recently implemented ‘Bombing PS3 / Wii / Wii U predefi ned blocks in a physics- Run’ style game, the weird physics and based environment. Developer contraption building add an element New Super Mario Bros. U Wii U Verge Game Studio describes it of unpredictable mayhem to the Nintendo Land Wii U better than we could: proceedings.” Wreck-It Ralph 3DS / DS / Wii ZombiU Wii U
www.nag.co.za May 2012 31
L
– rAge visitor
GE 2012 A R ’s 9:55 a.m. on Friday the 5th of October, 2012. The next fi ve IT minutes might as well be fi ve hours. There’s growing anticipation, impimpatientatient anxieanxietyty ata the sight of the crowd gatgatheredhered outside ttheh doors to the Coca-Cola BEAUTIFU DomeDome’s’s main entraentrance. This is the zombie apoapocalypse,calypse, wwherehere the zombies are instead “I’m 50 kilometreski from home, but I’ve never felt more at home.” eneenergizedrgized gagamersmers aand the apocalypse is uultimateltimate joyjoy.. There’There’s nervous excitement, the sosortrt ththatat buildsbuilds aroundarou the start of a race before the startstartinging pipistolstol ssounds its intent. A minute paspasses.ses. TTensionension grgrows.o Frantic radio chatter CHAOS emanates fromfrom nearbynea walkie-talkies, but it seems nobnobody’sody’s aactuallyc paying attention to the wwordsords beingbeing transmittedtransm on the airwaves. All ffocusocus isis onon thethe doors.doo AnAnotherother minute.minute. Static camera crews check their equequipment,ipment, eensuringn it’s set up perfectly. PPeopleeople rereadyady theirtheir phones,p preparing them to snasnapp qquickuick pphotoshotos ofo the upcoming charge of unleashed enthenthusiasm.u After a temporary forever, 1010 a.m. fi nallyna arrives. It seems we’re runninrunningg a little late. One fi nal check, another fi ve-minute eternity,eternity and the doors are fi nally , one of the 3 yanyankedked opopen.en. TherThere’se excited screaming from the crowd pouringpouring down the steps and fi ltering Far Cry 3 er at rAge 2012. intintoo tthehe ententrancerance bobooths. Look around and many hands-on games on off youyou’ll’ll see one comcommonm sight: everyone’s face is plaplasteredstered with the biggest,b most absurd smile it can muster – ororganisers,gan media and visitors alike. Look closely,closely, and youyo might spot a few joyful tears to match. ThThere’se a palpable mix of relief, anticianticipationpation and enthusiasmen for what the next three daysdays will bring.bring It’s on. TAPTAP X REPEREPEATEDLYATED TO PANIC Rewind to MondaMondayy of that week, and it all begins wiwithth an emptyempty Dome,Dom due to house the biggest, most iimportantmportant gagamingm event in the country
32 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE rAge 2012
(and on the entire African continent) for a PRESS START single weekend of the year; an unceremonious Fast-forward back to Friday, and the show is in beginning for great things to come. Event full swing. The magic is happening, to put a more organisers burst into action, bringing to grandiose spin on it. Animated faces stream up fruition plans that had been set many months and down the aisles, likely in search of free stuff in advance. By the end of this week (Monday given out by the various exhibitors. Stands of to Monday), Samantha Gabriel, rAge project all types are packed with people. Somewhere, manager, will have walked a total of 97,872 someone is kicking themselves for thinking that frenzied steps – a mad total of 68.51 kilometres. bringing gym equipment to the most awesomely Fun fact: that’s about ten kilometres more than nerdy convention in Africa was a good idea. A the average NAG employee will walk in their few spots immediately prove more impressive entire lifetime. and attention-worthy than the rest. Exhibitor stands slowly rise from the Dome’s Telkom’s excellent weekend MC is fl oor. Some are simple shells, modest but broadcasting furiously, drawing in crowds from eff ective in promoting their exhibitor’s purpose. across the expo. People fl ock to Megarom’s Others are grand designs, perfectly located to fi ve-stage exhibit, eager to get their hands on draw maximum attention and exposure, loaded games only due to be released months from with games to play and competitions to enter. now, as well as some popular recently released Others are mini-stores, eager to hand over titles. Similarly, the towering Nintendo stand merchandise lowered by ludicrous show specials has people eager to try out the Wii U prior to its to a fraction of their original price. By close release, and try their hand at some 3DS titles. of rAge on Sunday the 7th of October, these A pair of promoters dressed as Mario and Luigi exhibitors will have showcased their wares to can’t walk three steps without being accosted by 28,930 people. punters eager for a photo with them. It’s practically impossible to accurately Master Chief casually patrols Microsoft’s convey just how much planning, work and Xbox stand, occasionally posing for photos with overall eff ort (complete with the obligatory mix visitors. It seems even the Chief isn’t immune of blood, sweat and tears) goes into an event to the naturally alluring spectacle of all the pre- like this to someone who’s never actually seen released games. It’s a special moment in any it from behind the visitor veil. It’s why you’ll gamer’s life when you get to see Master Chief, spot a few elated organisers’ tears when the assault rifl e in hand, intently watching someone doors fi rst open: it’s watching an infant you’ve play Forza Horizon, while enraptured visitors nurtured for so many months fi nally take its play Halo 4 behind them. Ster Kinekor’s booth fi rst steps, stumbling awkwardly over its own shows off games of all types, providing quick-fi re feet and precariously fi ghting with its balance, access to video games for all audiences. EA has occasionally losing control and mashing its face everything ranging from The Sims to Medal of on the corner of a table, immediately sending its Honor: Warfi ghter available to play, catering to parents into a fl urry. But it’s every bit as joyous as gamers of all tastes. Inconspicuously hidden it is terrifying. amongst the crowd are a few international game
CoD4 is still alive and well in the eSports arena. bvd beat BfB lArd in the fi nals of the DGL Championships. Loving those fl uff y pink slippers dude.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 33 FEATURE rAge 2012
Over 70 cosplayers strutted their stuff on the main stage on Saturday. developers, fl own to SA for the sole purpose of demonstrating their works at the expo. Early admission to gaming’s many thrill- rides isn’t the only thing enrapturing people: expensive hardware and gadgetry occupy display cabinets across the show fl oor. Some of South Africa’s top overclockers showcase their craft for the masses. Gamer lifestyle is everywhere. The fl ea market has on display countless board games, fi gurines and pen and paper RPGs. A short walk away, people play a variety of board games and collectible card games, demoing them for anyone who’ll stop and watch. The Dark Carnival’s attractive stand constantly has people crowding around it, staring in awe at the incredible statues, collectibles and assorted merchandise, practically throwing money at the cashiers. “Just when we think that the show cannot get any bigger, we HIT CTRL TO ACTIVATE RAGE MODE experience another rAge and we are completely blown away. There are moments during rAge, as you’re This show celebrates and feeds South Africa’s gaming culture moving through the crowds, when the sights and sounds and spectacles of the expo all and without our visitors’ passion and dedication, rAge would converge, a stunning crescendo of gaming- not be the success that it is today.” themed chaos. You’ll hear a faint chiptune rendition of a popular song in the distance, – Michael James, rAge’s senior project manager then round a corner and be confronted by an impromptu dance troupe happily jamming along to Sing Party. Suddenly you fi nd yourself at the main stage, where people are cheering at the end of a demonstration of ZombiU by two of the game’s French developers. And then you’ll bump into someone cosplaying Team Fortress 2’s Pyro, and your brain will offi cially have a mini-orgasm. Speaking of cosplay, one of the main attractions was a cosplay competition that saw
some incredibly talented individuals dress up the Dome, all there to celebrate and envelop as their favourite characters from comic books, themselves in gaming, technology and the games, movies, anime and more, all vying for lifestyle surrounding it. Their stunned awe the aff ection of a panel of judges. Behind a fence should be more than enough to prove rAge’s ZombiU had a great reception at the dividing it and the expo lies the NAG LAN @ rAge: importance, and why it’s such an infl uential show. After three days of gaming this is 2,580 gamers on a single network, gaming, event for gamers across the country, and how most of us felt. But with more nose. engaging in friendly multiplayer competition, even beyond: visitors all the way from socialising and just having a good time for 53 Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana passed hours straight. Peer beyond the fence after through the Dome’s entrance. Here’s an day one, and you’ll spot LANners passed out in indication of just how busy the expo got: on sleeping bags, on air mattresses and on their Saturday around lunchtime, the numbers keyboards. Downstairs, Telkom’s Do Gaming within the Dome grew so large that, for safety League sees competitive gamers duking it in reasons, people were temporarily stopped various games across various genres for fame, from entering until people inside had left [The fortune and glory, but mostly so they’re able to crisis lasted about 40 minutes, then it was justify all their smacktalk. business as usual again. Ed.]. At the end of it all, rAge is the most important THANKS FOR PLAYING event on any South African gamer’s calendar To know what makes rAge so special, invite for one reason: it’s a celebration of gaming. someone who’s completely unaware of gaming To quote something we overheard from an and its huge, yet ever-growing presence in onlooker in the crowd during an on-stage South Africa to join you at the expo on Saturday, presentation of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, “there are the expo’s busiest day [can you actually make so many f***ing games to play.” And we can’t that Sunday – we have enough crowd control think of a better way to describe everything that problems as it is on Saturday. ;) Ed.]. Watch as rAge represents. Thanks so much to everyone their eyes widen when they spot the queue who joined us at this year’s rAge and helped forming outside the Dome’s doors, mouth make it the amazing event it was, and if you agape as if they’re watching a T-rex pick its didn’t manage to make it this year, fi rstly, what teeth with a kitten. Chances are, they’ll be left even?!, and secondly, we hope you’ll join us next utterly speechless by the number of people in year. See you all at rAge 2013!
34 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
Black to the future
CUSTOM GAME MODES GAMES & BRIC-À-BRAC All modes can be All the fan-favourite played as a custom game modes are back game, and bots can (except Team Defender, be used to fi ll out a unfortunately), team (except for Party and all of them are Play modes). You can playable in Combat customise everything, Training. The new from defi ning the pre- Party Games option built classes, restricting lets you play variations content (no claymores, like Gun Game, One ha ha), to adjusting the in the Chamber, Pick 10 system to a Pick Sharpshooter, Sticks 3 or Pick 17.II and Stones, and so on. In which we travel to the far- fl ung present to play Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s multiplayer
Developer Treyarch Publisher Activision Platforms 360 / PC / PS3 / Wii U Release date November 13, 2012 Genre First-person shooter
HANDS ON
38 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE BLACK TO THE FUTURE II
s a follow-up to our coverage of the single-player portion of Black Ops II (NAG June, 2012), we were invited back to Treyarch’s studios in Los Angeles for some hands-on Awith the multiplayer side of things. Back in June, Treyarch boasted that their approach to developing the multiplayer would have “no sacred cows”: nothing was off -limits to be scrapped or re-tooled if they felt it was necessary. Brave words, when dealing with a vocal and, shall we say, enthusiastic fan base – one that demands change and innovation, yet paradoxically, hates it when things aren’t the same as they were before.
HANDS-ON WITH THE FUTURE was ready to show. Sometimes in groups of 6 “Not everyone that plays Call of Duty plays the versus 6, other times in the novel confi guration multiplayer.” says David Vonderhaar, Game of 4 versus 4 versus 4, which made for some design director at Treyarch Studios. “Quite interesting situations when trying to capture frankly, that bugs the shit out of us.” and hold a point in the Hardpoint game type. David paces a little as he explains why The weight and speed of characters felt less like Treyarch felt the need to rework things so as to Black Ops and more like Modern Warfare 3, with entice new players, in what had by now become an emphasis on solid physicality. It felt good. a pretty conventional multiplayer package. What You can take a little more damage than usual some might call “cookie-cutter”, if they were (we chalk it up to more modern armour), so fi re playing the part of the hostile critic. Saying it’s fi ghts feel a little less insta-death. been “reworked” undersells it: if you were to remove all branding and series nomenclature CREATE-A-CLASS from the multiplayer in Black Ops II, even The most noticeable change is how Create-A- the most ardent Call of Duty fan might not Class works. Due to the new “Pick 10” system, recognise what they were looking at. It would be when designing your customised loadout, you familiar, yes, but so very diff erent as well. can leave out things you don’t want and pile on We spent fi ve hours playing a variety of team things you do. Everything uses up a point when game types across the three maps Treyarch slotted in, so a basic 10-point loadout would be a primary weapon (with two attachments), a secondary weapon (with one attachment), three Perks (one per tier), one lethal grenade type and one tactical grenade type. There are three Wildcard slots, which are used to “cheat” the system and design more interesting or tailored loadouts. Wildcards allow for things like picking two primary weapons instead of a secondary, using more Perks, carrying more grenades, and so on. If you decided to use the three Wildcards that allowed for an extra Perk in each of the
COMPETITIVE PLAY & ESPORTS Taking inspiration from how against people of similar package, there are new and picture-in-picture so in the new livestreaming StarCraft II does things, rank. There will be seven “COD Casting” elements you can see the team list on functions. You’ll be able there is a fully-functional divisions, (Bronze, Silver, during spectator mode: a the right (which also shows to livestream a match league system in Black Platinum, Gold, you get score HUD to give it that what actions each player is to the web, adding your Ops II. You choose to the idea), with league sporty feel, nameplates of taking, making it easier to own commentary to the participate, get ranked rankings likely to be used the players when you’re zoom to the action). You action. Treyarch does into a division after some for seeding in the major spectating through their can listen-in to the voice reserve the right to dictate preliminary matches, and eSports events. view, a full-screen map comms of a player as well. streaming conditions then you’re matched up To complete the eSports showing all player locations, All this comes together and locations, though.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 39 three tiers, you could run into battle with six Perks, but at the cost of having blown 9 points, leaving you with only enough for a gun with no attachments, or a grenade. Another style might involve picking Wildcards that let you layer on more than two attachments on your primary gun, and for carrying more grenades. If you pick something after having already used up all 10 points, you’re shown a quick visual list of everything you have, and asked which one to drop in favour of your new choice. Designing your custom class in this way is surprisingly fast, letting you make quick, hard calls on which things you really need (or want), and what you can live without.
SCORE STREAKS The second major change is the removal Predator Missile, but able to split into smaller of Killstreaks and Deathstreaks. Instead, mini-missiles) as well as attack dogs. But since Scorestreaks are rewards gained from doing their deployment is based on score, not kills, pretty much anything: defending points, it shifts the focus more towards achieving the capturing the fl ag, and of course, shooting objectives on the map, such as defending the that other guy, all within one life. Scorestreaks fl ag in Capture the Flag. You even get score look and smell like Killstreaks, allowing you to from each kill your teammates make after call in UAV drones, remote-controlled sentry you’ve called in a UAV to reveal enemies on turrets, the new Hellfi re Missile (think the the radar. If this smells a little like Battlefi eld 3’s scoring system, you’re not alone, except this has a tangible infl uence on the match. We spotted 22 Scorestreaks on the loadout screen: you pick the three you want, with the more lethal and potent ones requiring a much higher score. Once you’ve gained enough score during a match for a Scorestreak, hitting right on the d-pad calls it in. If you’ve stored up to three (they persist across lives), up and down on the d-pad cycles which one you call in when hitting right.
FILLING THOSE BARS It would have been easy to just add more numbers: more levels, more Prestige ranks, in an attempt to create more content. Instead, Black Ops II aims for “less, but more meaningful”. There are only 55 levels, and 10 Prestige ranks. You gain experience from pretty much everything, with the lion’s share coming from the after-action “medals”. Again, with an unmistakable nod to Battlefi eld 3, everything you do in a match grants you additional
COMBAT TRAINING Combat Training is no Boot Camp, Objective and modes except Search and longer an entirely separate Bot Stomp. Boot Camp is Destroy, and is also three system, and is integrated 6-on-6, with three players players plus three bots vs. a into the multiplayer and three bots taking on a team of the same, but you’ll experience. It serves as team of three players and only earn half experience. training wheels that ease three bots. You’ll be able Bot Stomp gets you no you into proper online to play Boot Camp up to experience, but allows six play. Combat Training is level 10, for full experience. players take on six bots for divided into three modes: Objective lets you play all fun, or training.
40 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE BLACK TO THE FUTURE II
THEATRE The Theatre Mode is now a full production tool for research and training. You can bookmark a match right after playing to fi nd it easier, or just go straight to the new recent victories list that shows you recorded matches in which you win. There’s a community tab that shows an activity feed from your friends, and you can vote replays up or down. The whole thing is displayed big and bold, visually, like Netfl ix. The real winner here is the experience points after the match, as you’re new highlight reel function. awarded medals. There are over 100 events You give it a replay, and it will that grant medals, everything from calling in a automatically edit together certain amount of Scorestreaks, to defending a “best moments” show reel, points, to getting lots of headshots. which you can adjust and edit Each time you level up, you’re given an unlock afterwards. All the important token which can be used to unlock a new editing features are back, like weapon, Scorestreak or Perk. Certain items are the dolly camera and Theatre gated by level, so you won’t be able to unlock Party viewing mode. What’s just anything from the start. There is more new: you can now have 20 content than there are levels, making it feel clips per fi lm, and the ability more like a role-playing game skill-tree. Which to merge clips. If you merge ties into the refund token you can get when you 20 clips into one, you free up Prestige. 19 more, for really fi ne-tuned When you hit max level, you’re given the camerawork or editing. You chance to Prestige, which drops your level can now also attach the back down to 1 and takes away all the weapons camera to an object, like a and items you’ve unlocked. Except this time, it rocket, or Scorestreak reward doesn’t reset your weapon XP (used for unlocking like the assault drone.
CHALLENGES attachments) or the progress you’ve made on All Challenges bring cosmetic challenges. When you Prestige, you’re given /personalisation rewards. a Prestige token (used to ignore the level gate There are over a thousand and permanently unlock a weapon/item), and challenges; completing one you get to choose between resetting your stats, gives you experience, and or a refund token. The refund token is useful: if there are camo unlocks for all you were partway through, say, the claymore weapons this time, including challenges and you Prestige, you can unlock rocket launchers and knives. the claymore, fi nish the challenges, then use the Each weapon has 10 base refund token to get all your unlock tokens back. skins to unlock via that Kind of like the respec option of an RPG. weapon’s challenges, and six Once you hit max Prestige, you gain the rank high-end challenges unlock of Master and all content is unlocked. We were special skins like carbon shown all the Prestige icons, except the fi nal and gold. You can even one, and they’re all visually distinct, not just earn new reticle graphics colour-variations of the same thing. The fourth by completing scope/ one in particular was awesome: a huge boar’s attachment challenges. head with giant tusks. - Miktar
ZOMBIES Yes, zombies return, cooperatively, explore an place in smaller, custom- four-versus-four-versus- up in full stat-tracking, surprising no-one. The new expansive world, using a made maps where you’re zombies setup. The last improved matchmaking, mode ties into the end of bus to reach new areas. not playing the main team alive wins; and you and you can set up a Resurrection, and contains Treyarch isn’t showing much characters, and instead earn “grief” deployable toys custom game if you want to four new characters, new yet, but have confi rmed are competing for a place which are used to make the select the starting round, zombie types, new weapons, two additional game types: on the leaderboards. Grief other team’s life miserable restrict it to headshots and a surprisingly large Survival and Grief. involves the CIA facing off since you can’t directly only, remove the magical story mode called Transit. Survival mode (for up the CDC (Center for Disease interact with them. items, or adjust the Up to four players playing to four players) takes Control), in a competitive Everything will be wrapped diffi culty setting.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 41 Main prize
INCLUDED
• SMSes charged at R1.50 (no free/ bundled SMSes apply). To enter SMS • Winners will be notifi ed by SMS. • Judges decision is fi nal and no correspondence will be entered into. the keyword • Competition closes 30 November 2012. Ubisoft to 33115 Main prize
INCLUDED
* Vaas Wahini bobble head + Assassin’s Creed III bracelet HANDS ON
building a blockier Middle-eartH
44 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO The Lord of the Rings
DETAILS he endlessly enduring video fantastically fun and addictive elements, Release date game franchise bearing the while still attempting to stay as true to endlessly enduring LEGO the classic tale as possible. October 2012 Platforms logo marches ever onwards, My hands-on time with the game this time giving the beloved proved immediately familiar and much 360 / 3DS / DS / PC The Lord of the Rings franchise a big too short, but there was enough in PS3 / Vita / Wii tol’ blocky hug. It’s a video game series there to showcase the developer’s Genre that’s become perfectly comfortable intention for the game. Taking place Action adventure altering its subject material as it sees during the siege of Helm’s Deep, we Developer fi t, repurposing popular franchises to were given control of three characters Traveller’s Tales cater to its addictive formula, recreating for the majority of it: the trio of Legolas, Website iconic scenes in its own unique image. Gimli and Aragorn. A short cut-scene thelordoftherings. It’s naturally grown immensely popular, reveals the game’s use of voice work lego.com appealing to players of all ages with its pulled straight from the fi lms. Hearing Publisher trademark charm and adorable humour. the recognisable lines delivered with Warner Bros. You may imagine that tackling an IP as such emotional impact by the LotR Interactive undeniably infl uential as The Lord of the trilogy’s excellent roster of actors, yet Rings would be a challenge even for this seeing them acted out by the comical series – but, as always, Traveller’s Tales LEGO minifi gures proves quite jarring are making it look easy, retrofi tting the at fi rst. However, the moment the fantasy epic with all of the LEGO series’ familiar slapstick, off beat humour
www.nag.co.za November 2012 45 i think there’s more to this hobbit than meets the eye
A staple of the LEGO series is to pack as many characters from the source material into the games as possible. Each character then has their own unique combat style and special abilities, used to progress through levels. In Story Mode, you’re generally confi ned to the characters provided at the start of the level, switching between them (or working in tandem with your fellow player if you’re playing cooperatively) to leverage their abilities and overcome each level’s unique obstacles. In Story Mode, you’ll often fi nd locked paths inaccessible to the available roster of characters. Complete the level and unlock it for Free Play, however, and you’re able to go back and use any characters you’ve thus far unlocked to access those previously inaccessible areas, changing the dynamic of the level and giving good reason to revisit areas. In the demo I played, for example, Gimli is able to use his axe to smash specially marked LEGO blocks, opening new paths through the level, or for smashing down siege ladders on the side of the keep’s walls. His small stature also enables him to crawl through confi ned spaces. Legolas’ bow is useful for shooting targets at range, perhaps hitting a highlighted object that spills LEGO bricks used to construct new in-game objects to solve puzzles, or simply to pick off enemies from afar. Both Legolas and Aragorn are able to grab Gimli and launch him at specially marked targets. In LEGO The Lord of the Rings, there’s now another consideration to bear in mind: characters are able to carry multiple items for solving various puzzles when they’re needed, and multiple weapons for use in diff erent situations, all selectable from a selection wheel. Legolas carries both his twin blades and his bow, for example.
46 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO The Lord of the Rings
becomes apparent amidst the inherent seriousness of the scenes, seeing this “as with the lego star wars series, which hilariously ridiculous contradiction in action becomes much more managed to shove entire film trilogies comfortable and likable. Legolas’ excited wave when his fellow Elves arrive to lend their aid for the upcoming battle; into single games, lego the lord of the Aragorn’s LEGO-accented face palm at Theoden’s arrogance when it comes rings compresses all three of peter to defending his keep; the live pig that’s being carried around in the background jackson’s epics into this one package.” to serve as extra weight to barricade a door; all these subtle touches play off the natural humour of the fi lms (Gimli likeness of the LEGO minifi gures present reach the end of their deadly dive. At imploring Aragorn “don’t tell the Elf” in the actual Lord of the Rings LEGO the same time, a new feature called before Aragorn tosses the dwarf across a playsets, which in turn are adorable Palantir Mode lets your co-op partner chasm) to maintain the grim importance adaptations of our favourite characters guide the rest of the fellowship to safety, of the original narrative, while still from the fi lm trilogy. They’re all dodging arrows as they exit the Mines preserving the light-hearted playfulness excellently animated, and boast a range of Moria. This asynchronous co-op isn’t for which these games are known. of facial expressions that actually do a mandatory – playing solo will still let Getting down to the actual gameplay, surprisingly good job of conveying their you control both Gandalf and the rest of those who’ve not had a go at the plastic emotions. the fellowship during all this. As you’ve LEGO series before should expect a As with the LEGO Star Wars series, probably realised by now, drop-in, mixture of light puzzle solving and which managed to shove entire fi lm drop-out split-screen cooperative will of simplistic, button-mashing combat trilogies into single games, LEGO The course return. These games thrive when playing as dozens of diff erent LotR Lord of the Rings compresses all three played cooperatively, and are a perfect characters, using their unique special of Peter Jackson’s epics into this one match for family play – their youthful abilities to overcome the challenges package. Compresses might not actually appeal makes them an obvious choice contained within each level. It’s what be the best word to use, because for kids, while mom and dad are sure you’ll be doing for the majority of your these games are always enormous, to get plenty of enjoyment out of the time with the game, although at set packed with hours of gameplay, tons simplistic, but thoughtful gameplay and times throughout the gameplay gets of secrets to discover and all manner of endless charm. changed up a bit in various ways – like collectibles to obsessively hunt. All of the Basically, it’s a LEGO game, and the one instance in which you charge scenes you expect to see are in there. series has proven so popular that chances out of Helm’s Deep on horseback in Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog sees you are you know exactly what that means. a mostly on-rails segment, knocking freefalling down that seemingly endless Based on everything I’ve seen, they’re over foes and dodging swings of crevice after the Bridge of Khazad doing excellent work with the Lord massive troll weaponry. For LEGO The Dum collapses, guiding Gandalf’s of the Rings franchise, faithfully Lord of the Rings, there’ll reportedly descent to prevent him from colliding recreating it while still cramming in be 84 characters to unlock and play as with the stony sides. Catch up to the the charismatic humour, lovable (both in Story Mode and Free Play – Balrog, and you can slash and stab at aesthetic and enjoyably addictive more explanation on this elsewhere) it, using the analogue stick to dodge gameplay that has made this throughout the journey. Each character its fi ery breath, repeating this until series such a hit amongst boasts the same lovingly crafted digital the wizard and his monstrous foe players of all ages. - Barkskin
there are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world
The pool of beasties and baddies from the trilogy will all star in the game. Uruk-hai, goblins, trolls and more are always eager to turn you into a pile of bouncing LEGO studs. But it’s the other, more signifi cant bad dudes who really steal the show. The Balrog, reconstructed as a LEGO fi gure, is something you don’t want to miss. Saruman, the Witch-king and the Nazgûl, and all the rest of the story’s villains appear. Gollum seems to be as excellently animated and articulate as he is in the fi lms. Many of them can be unlocked for use in Free Play as well. It’s not just the villains who’ll leave a lasting impression throughout your journey either – don’t forget the Ents. The name “LEGO” comes from the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which means “play well.”
wwww.nag.co.za November 2012 47 Q&A Nick Ricks interview, executive producer at TT for LEGO LOTR
NAG: Could you tell us what your role is on development of LEGO: The Lord of the Rings? [Nick Ricks] As TT Games Publishing’s Executive Producer, my role is leading the publishing eff ort, liaise and guide the you development teams and ensure that both LEGO step onto the Company and Middle-earth enterprises are fully road, and if you don’t keep involved in the creative process. It’s a busy and your feet, there’s no telling challenging job, but one I relish as, when I play where you might be swept off to the game, I’m completely blown away by what the teams have achieved. With a world as richly detailed and diverse as Middle- earth, there’s plenty for the game’s developers to work NAG: Has it been a challenge to adapt such a with when it comes to locations and levels. In constructing beloved, infl uential universe to digital plastic the world, it seems the developers have opted to turn Middle- earth into an open-world hub from which you access all your blocks and LEGO fi gures? Have you borrowed adventuring – although the story will still be told in linear any elements from Tolkien’s novels, or is the fashion. You’ll visit iconic locales like Minas Tirith from the game purely tied to the fi lms? trilogy, all lovingly forged out of digital LEGO. When the [NR] It’s an enormous responsibility to take wall of the keep is destroyed during the battle for Helm’s on the adaptation of such a treasured piece of Deep, it’s not masonry that’s sent soaring through the literary and theatrical work. At the same time air, but rather LEGO bricks. It’s an eff ect that’ll bring we strive to ensure that the fun, creativity and a smile to your face, and don’t let the fact that it’s action that is inherent in all our LEGO games is all plastic bricks fool you: this game boasts as strongly represented as ever. Our approach some astounding visual wizardry, and it’s often nothing less than has principally been to adapt the fi lms, and it’s beautiful. our fi rst LEGO re-telling of an Academy Award winning movie! Peter Jackson, the cast and crew and New Line did such an amazing job; that we’ve taken inspiration from their direction, which in turn has pushed us to new heights cinematically. However we’re also conscious that a great many adults and older children will be well versed with the written fi ction. So they and the burning clouds of Mordor, creates an will fi nd a few surprises woven into the game incredibly fun, compelling and authentic world that weren’t in either the theatrical releases or for the player to enjoy. the director’s cut. As for the emotional journey the characters’ abilities grow and develop as the game NAG: The LEGO series has travelled progresses. For example Aragorn begins as a everywhere from Batman to Indiana Jones, ranger with tracking skills, but develops the with varying degrees of success. What power to control the Army of the Dead, wield unique opportunities does the Lord of the Anduril (which can shatter Morgul LEGO blocks). Rings license bring to the gameplay, design In this way each character’s growth is refl ected and mechanics of the LEGO formula? both in the narrative, but also in the increased [NR] The fi rst thing the teams do when ways they can interact with the LEGO elements approaching a new game is to try to distil what around them. is unique about the story that we’re adapting. Indiana Jones introduced a greater emphasis NAG: With the open-world that’s on off er, on puzzle-solving and set-piece action; Batman how much tertiary distraction will exist in the had fantastic gadgets, vehicles and action! game? We’re assuming that, at the very least, The Lord of the Rings at its essence is a quest there’ll still be the traditional obsessive stud or journey: both physical; as the ring is carried collection and unlocking of new bonus areas to Mordor: and emotional; as the heroes grow between missions? and live up to their destinies. [NR] Of course, providing tangible rewards for The physical journey was conceptually exploratory gameplay is at the heart of what simple, but technically very challenging, as makes the LEGO games so enjoyable. This is we’ve created our own vast LEGO Middle-earth particularly true with LEGO Middle-earth, which into which all of the story events, quests and is the biggest environment we’ve ever created. battles are woven. The players have absolute We want young gamers and their families to be freedom to explore it all, and standing on top of inquisitive and explore it all. In order to achieve Minas Tirith, being able to see Edoras, Isengard this we’ve fi lled the landscape with mini-quests,
48 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO: The Lord of the Rings
dungeons and characters to interact with. When not actively pursuing the epic story line, we want people to ask themselves ”what’s around this corner?” and they will only do this if they know there is something there to discover. LEGO Middle-earth is fi lled with Mithril Blocks to uncover, magical items that can be found or forged that grant new powers, or new characters to collect. All of these, and many more besides, await and reward the players’ exploration.
NAG: There’s talk of item crafting – how does this work, and how complex will the system be? What sort of benefi ts can players expect to see from crafting items? dialogue, rather than recording new lines [NR] There are numerous ways that the player of talkies or using the LEGO series’ staple can wield new and powerful magical items, speech-free style? crafting being one of them. As they progress [NR] We always are striving to bring new through the game, players will uncover precious and fresh ideas to our LEGO games, and the LEGO Mithril blocks. Additionally plans and introduction of dialogue was something we schematics for items are hidden throughout thought long and hard about. Its inclusion the levels. The Mithril can be taken to the certainly adds to the cinematic feel we’re blacksmiths and used to forge new weapons conjuring, and having actors of the calibre and armour based on the plans that have been of Sir Ian McKellen, or Elijah Wood speaking discovered. Some give the wearer greater through the mouths of the mini-fi gures adds health (Mithril armour) or do more damage drama and excitement. Equally we were (Mithril weapons) but the rarer plans unlock conscious that we didn’t want to lose the more powerful magical items, with bonus and light-heartedness that has characterised our sometimes hilarious results. previous games, and our cut-scene team is still able to add lashings of slap-stick and physical NAG: In order to recreate the immense humour throughout. scale of Middle-earth and its many beautiful locations, as well as the huge battles that take NAG: One of the most renowned facets place at key points in the story, have you had of these games has been their wonderful to make any signifi cant improvements to the humour. Has the serious, sombre tone of game engine? some voiceovers and the narrative’s darker [NR] Many, in particular the technology that points made it diffi cult to keep things light allows for the seamless streaming of LEGO and humorous? Middle-earth. It really is breath-taking, climbing [NR] It’s always a challenge to bring material NAG: What was the greatest challenge in to the top of the Falls of Rauros and gazing over to a younger audience, but all our games creating a game of this scope and what was at Minas Tirith in the far distance, or seeing the have some darker moments, it’s a necessary the most rewarding part of the whole process. burning gaze of Sauron, literally emanating from part of the story telling and not something [NR] To make a game of this scope requires Barad-dur, cast down on Osgiliath. Without we ever shy away from. We often fi nd that an incredible eff ort by a lot of dedicated and these investments the team wouldn’t have been the more sombre moments of the fi lms talented people. Everyone involved from the able to do justice to the fi ction, and the vistas end up being the funniest when they are dev teams, to our partners at WB Games, LEGO that they have created are simply stunning. re-imagined in LEGO form. Moreover the Company and Middle-earth Enterprises have inclusion of the voiceovers enhances the collaborated to bring the most authentic, fun, NAG: What prompted the decision to use comedy, giving us the opportunity to twist action-fi lled adventure we could possible make. voiceovers from the fi lms for character the dialogue with ironic eff ect. It’s been a both a privilege and immensely rewarding to see it all come together.
NAG: Who is the biggest Lord of the Rings fan-boy in the offi ce and why? [NR] Whilst there are many Lord of the Rings afi cionados in the offi ce, I guess I’d have to put my hand up and say I’m up there with the biggest ones. I fi rst read The Lord of the Rings after watching the original animated adaptation, and have been hooked ever since. What I enjoyed about them was the depth and timelessness of the universe in which it was set. The fact that wars have been fought and kingdoms have risen and fallen, in just the 3rd Age, really gripped me and led me to read on with the Tolkien’s other novels. All of them fed back into this epic continuum, and I’ve never read anything since that really had that same degree of heritage.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 49 / PREVIEWS /
DETAILS Release date Q1/Q2 2013 Platforms PC Genre Real-time strategy Developer Relic Website www. companyofheroes. com Publisher Company of Heroes 2 HANDS ON THQ Who left the fridge open?
he Company of Heroes franchise is be completing multiple objectives during the real-time strategy series with the missions or vying for control of the numerous Thighest ratings of all time. Originally resource points to devalue your opposition’s released in 2006, the fi rst Company of ticket count. There are, however, a number Heroes became the most critically acclaimed of improvements and additional gameplay PC game of that year. The game’s two mechanics that make Company of Heroes 2 a expansions, Opposing Fronts and Tales of very diff erent beast. Valor, released in 2007 and 2009 respectively. For a start, there’s the weather. Relic has Both were extremely well received by fans developed something that they’ve dubbed and critics alike. Now, more than six years and trademarked “ColdTech”. This new after Company of Heroes debuted, developer addition to the Essence Engine (which is Relic is bringing us a sequel. now running on version 3.0) governs the Company of Heroes 2 sees you taking entire game’s weather and how units react charge of the Russian army during World to it. On a purely visual level the system War II. As such, the game takes place on the is rather stunning with sunlight glinting eastern front while off the surface of German forces are A further addition is frozen lakes, tank invading the Soviet tracks turning snow motherland. To date, one that’s practically into churned-up this theatre of war revolutionised the fog-of- slush, and blizzards remains the bloodiest obscuring the of any confl ict, with war mechanic found in real- battlefi eld. It also casualties from both time strategy games. Relic is sounds excellent as sides mounting into calling it “True Sight”. wind howls across the tens of millions. the maps, obscuring It wasn’t only the troop chatter. fi ghting that caused the casualties; it was the weather as well, with temperatures dropping as low as -40° Celsius. NAG recently got the chance to partake in the fi rst ever hands-on event for Company of Heroes 2, and what we played did a fantastic job of reminding us exactly why this series holds the RTS crown. A number of series staples make a return: you still need Fuel, Ammunition and Manpower in order to recruit troops and vehicles and build your base; you’ll still
The Battles of Rzhev were a series of skirmishes fought in and around the Russian town of Rzhev. The battles have earned the nickname “Rzhev Meat Grinder” because of the massive casualties sustained by Russian and German forces. Some of the missions in Company of Heroes 2 will follow these historical battles.
50 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Company of Heroes 2
The weather does, however, make things much more diffi cult. Every single unit move needs to take an additional factor into consideration: will troops die of hypothermia before they reach their target? During our hands-on time, dozens of our men succumbed to winter’s icy grip. We lost three very expensive Katyusha Rocket Trucks because the enemy shot the ice around our vehicles as we tried to push across a river and into opposing territory; the ice cracked and our vehicles sank to the frigid depths below. Some of these elements can obviously be used to your advantage, but during our hands-on we couldn’t help but Before World War II, feel as if the amount of time your troops Rzhev had 56, 000 have before exposure kills them is a little too civilians. After the war low. Basically, it’s now a necessity to have a ended, there were only 150 civilians left alive.
unit of combat engineers moving with your this RTS franchise. Relic has included minor troops so that they can build fi re pits if you additions as well, like the ability for your men happen to be in an area without structures to vault over obstacles, which makes the to shelter inside. You’re essentially fi ghting scramble for cover that much more intuitive. two opponents in Company of Heroes 2: the Your men can now hop over a wall instead of Nazis and winter. having to run along it to reach its end before A further addition is one that’s practically being able to access the other side to hide revolutionised the fog-of-war mechanic found behind. Vehicles can also be abandoned, in real-time strategy games. Relic is calling which means you might, on occasion, get it “True Sight” and it’s one of the main bullet lucky and end up killing the men inside an point features for Company of Heroes 2. Those enemy tank instead of blowing it up. You’ll who have played Warhammer 40, 000: Dawn then have a free tank to commandeer. of War II would have encountered what could Then there are the cosmetic additions like be considered the roots of True Sight, but for propagating fi res. Fire spreads and buildings Company of Heroes 2, line-of-sight will add a gradually burn to the ground. This presents new layer to your strategy. Your units don’t have a catch-22: fl amethrowers are the easiest the typical RTS, 360° fi eld of vision; now they way to get enemy troops out of garrisoned only see what’s in front of them and in their fi eld buildings, but don’t expect to be able to of view. If there’s an enemy tank sitting around use that building, seeing as it’s now slowly the corner of a house, you won’t see it until your burning to the ground. troops have rounded that corner and come face- The exciting thing is that all of these to-face with it. Even calling in an IL-2 Sturmovik new features will force you to rethink your attack plane for a strafi ng run resulted in the approach to Company of Heroes. It seems fog-of-war being lifted depending on which as if we’re in for a sequel that tweaks core direction the plane was fl ying. gameplay mechanics, rather than one that Two fancy mechanics with trademarked simply adds more fl uff and padding before names aren’t the only new additions that slapping a “2” on the cover. promise to change the way we approach - Mikit0707
www.nag.co.za November 2012 51 / REVIEWS / REVIEWSINTRO People usually feel up fresh produce to determine ripeness – this is what we found at the bottom of the fruit stand… right at the bottom.. Meet your reviewers. Name the best gaming event/function/launch/expo/thing you’ve ever been to and why that particular one was so special to you.
RedTide Miktar Azimuth Mikit0707 GeometriX Barkskin Defi nitely the fi rst rAge 2002. It was the rAge, obviously. It’s so The Assassin’s Creed My fi rst time at This isn’t gaming time I went to E3. largest gaming event cool, and awesome, III reveal in London. Gamescom. There’s related but my best trip That trip laid the since the 1000-man and... cool. And rad. I love the series and simply no comparison was going to Ireland foundation for what LAN, and everything And stuff . Everybody this was its world in terms of the sheer for the crochet blanket rAge is today. Another just came together should go. (What was premiere. Also, size of the expo, and knit off festival. I’m highlight was going perfectly. All my friends my endorsement fee Ubisoft’s PR people so much is hands-on. into much older ladies to Bahrain for the were there, the game again, Michael?) are frighteningly so I was in heaven. My Formula 1 Grand Prix releases were huge organised with events cheeks haven’t ached (thanks Intel). Lobster and hype. And since it like these. like that since… Love for breakfast was was the fi rst rAge, it’ll you Ethel. interesting. always be special.
MINIREVIEWS Kinda like regular reviews, only bite-sized and with less of those pesky words.
KINGDOM HEARTS 3D: DREAM DROP DISTANCE The Kingdom Hearts franchise stands as testament to the fact that two diff erent universes (Disney and Final Fantasy) can successfully be mixed to form a popular series of games. And this series has made its way to the 3DS with the peculiarly titled Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. It revisits earlier plot lines by making use of the original characters, but it adds some great new ideas. The fi rst is a new “Flowmotion” combat system that uses the environment and allows for a steady stream of fi ghting, once you get used to the controls. It’s pretty unique for a JRPG, and can be great fun. The second is the idea of dropping; the game will, at predetermined times, pull the player out of one character’s story line and throw them into the other. This predetermination is literally time-based; you may be in the middle of a heated combat, and the game will yank you away. It’s disconcerting at fi rst, but it adds a feel of cohesion between the two story lines, almost like brisk editing in a movie. Dream Drop Distance is a great addition to the series, and a game that appreciators of a deep story 79 line will enjoy.
52 November 2012 www.nag.co.za “Tomorrow REVIEWSCORESGUIDELINE This game is broken. Even if you get it to run, 1-39 playing it is a painful experience that you wouldn’t I’m going to fart wish upon your worst enemy.
It barely functions, but there’s little real game candy fl oss” 40-49 here. Maybe you’d play it for a bit if you got it for free, but it’s not something you’d recommend to friends. - Jacqui Acceptable, but nothing special. It’s generic 50-59 or uninspired, but playable, and might be worth spending some time hunting for achievements.
Now we’re getting somewhere. This game 60-69 has something interesting about it, and fans of the genre or series should enjoy it, but something signifi cant holds back this game from greatness.
This game is very good. Anyone who enjoys 70-79 this type of game will have a great time and Ramjet SAVAGE ShockG could fi nish it without too much aggravation. It shows care and E3 2006. It was the E3 2012, because it rAge 2006, Xbox 360 polish, but falls short in a number of areas. last E3 I managed to was f****** E3! And was new and at the go to, so the memory also America yay: time it was next gen An excellent game; one that you’d happily keeps me going until root beer, burgers, console gaming. 80-89 play through multiple times and recommend the next time. Why pizzas and dinosaur Probably the most to friends. It adds interesting, if imperfect, advancements to the was it awesome? museums. important thing that genre or series. Stupid question... year in all of gaming and it was at rAge as As close to perfection as possible. This well. Epic! 90-100 game is highly innovative; it has incredible visuals; it plays like a dream and you can’t get enough of it. You have to look for faults just to avoid giving it a perfect score.
home_coded Inside the South African indie developmentment industryindustry…… Celestial Games Website: www.celestial-games.com oke around the local game development scene and you’ll struggle to fi nd anyone P as passionate, as driven, as crazy, and (perhaps most importantly) as industry-savvy as Travis Bulford, founder of Celestial Games. If you’ve been doing this gaming thing for long enough you might remember the name; they put together the caff eine-fuelled Toxic Bunny in 1996 and a lesser-known action RPG called The Tainted in 1999. Then Celestial sort-of disappeared. Now they’re back. Packing an HD remake of Toxic Bunny and a barrelful of ideas to get the local game development industry up to the level it ought to be, Celestial is determined to stay in the saddle for as long as it takes to produce the games they want to (including a list to keep them busy for at least the next few years), and raise the stature of game the largest electronic entertainment industry development in the eyes of local businesses. in the world?” he asks. Bulford points out that there’s still a Truer words were never spoken, and we’re perception in the country that games aren’t excited to see the renewal of a beloved local worth investing in, unlike fi lm and music game and its makers. The future awaits! which has seen substantial growth over the years. “Where is the fi nancial investment and If you have an established local game development company or project support to help South Africa get a footprint in and would like to be featured in NAG, send an email to [email protected]
www.nag.co.zawww.nag.co.za NNovemberovember 20122012 53 / REVIEWS /
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Humanity’s last hope returns
et’s be clear on one thing: XCOM could not be brought actions simply happen automatically as your units move to DETAILS to today’s market as a pure clone of the original. It’s not the positions you send them to. The result is combat that Platforms that customers wouldn’t reward such a game; it’s that feels fl uid, fast and engaging yet somewhat stifl ing in the L 360 / PC / PS3 Firaxis has made it their goal to deliver a product that doesn’t early game, although it is still fi lled with all of the tension Genre just suit the hardcore veterans but the masses as well, and suspense of the old titles. Tactical strategy without dumbing it down. The team at Firaxis has made a lot Between those terrifying experiences out on the fi eld game of changes to the original formula, but everything in XCOM you’ll manage your home base, chosen from one of fi ve Age restriction has been designed with a holistic approach and fi ts together sites around the world. Unlike the original X-COM, you’ll 18 as though it was always meant to be. manage just a single base of operations but you can Multiplayer If I thought it would make anyone happy, I’d list all the deploy aircraft to hangars stationed around the globe for Local features that XCOM does or doesn’t have compared to increased response times. There’s plenty to do at home None the original but then some crazed fl annel-wearing ‘90s base, including the management of troops and loadouts, Online enthusiast would take it all out of context, but I will point assigning research and engineering projects, maintaining 2 players out a few noteworthy changes. The most obvious is the positive relationships with world leaders and expanding Developer shift from action points to a two-phase system used in your premises to accommodate new technologies as Firaxis Games combat. When your soldiers are out on the fi eld they can they’re researched. Website move and/or shoot depending on their class, equipped It’s at your home base that the management side of XCOM www.xcom.com weapon and the perks you’ve chosen for them as they reveals itself as one of the greatest improvements over the Publisher gained experience levels. Early in the game, this simple original, and it’s also where most of the game’s story is told. 2K Games system feels very limiting, but as they gain perks they also While there is a linear, driven story for you to get through, Distributor gain fl exibility in combat, like the chance to quickly evade it pokes its head in so patiently that you’re free to go about Megarom enemy fi re, take free reaction shots, shoot multiple times your business and only engage when it suits you. Outside of per turn or cover large amounts of ground to rush to the a few key story missions, the details of the aliens, their plans aid of a dying ally. But a consequence of this simplifi cation and their origins become known to you through researching is that movement is ultimately less complex than some both living and dead extraterrestrial specimens (the former may like. There are no options to crouch, go prone change being quite a challenge to catch). As you’d expect of a direction, take cover, or vault over an obstacle –these game that tries to straddle the line between hardcore and
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SEE JOHN RUN 1 The game includes a heavily guided tutorial that introduces The closest thing that XCOM hasas pplalayersye to the complexities of turn-based tactics. But more to a real issue is the camera andd thanthan that, it serves as an example of how linear and scripted how it copes with the action- XCOM could’ve been, which it absolutely isn’t. What we’ve driven sequences. It’s buggy, seen of the game’s demo shows otherwise, though, but don’t and is prone to clipping, slow- be putpu off if it creates the wrong impression. downs, missing the action entirelyrely or failing to hide pieces of the 2 As youy crank up the diffi culty levels, the aliens become not environment that obscure the onlyonly smarter in combat but their entire invasion picks up pace. gameplay. Thankfully, the actionon It becomesbec dangerously easy to fall behind on the macro camera can be disabled, but thee level;level; knowing where and when to deploy your troops, aircraft replacement version doesn’t farere and oobservation satellites to balance international panic and much better. fi nancialnan aid is crucial.
54 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS You wouldn’t expect it, but XCOM includes a multiplayer off ering that 3 feels surprisingly suitable. There’s just one game mode, deathmatch, which pits two players against each other, each with a custom team of up to six units made up of a mix of XCOM operatives and aliens. Each unit is worth a defi ned number of points, and players can choose to set the points limit per team or leave the lid off for a battle of the all-powerful. Games are played out in a number of maps built for a balanced multiplayer experience, and feel reminiscent of a small version of “Between those terrifying experiences out on the Warhammer, or any number of tactics games like Ogre Tactics and fi eld you’ll manage your home base, chosen from Front Mission. The multiplayer mode works well, but there’s room for one of fi ve sites around the world.” expansion over here.
accessible, the back-story is only there for those who care to read it, but if you do take the time to do so you’ll be rewarded with a richly-detailed narrative environment and a real sense of place in the game.
HURT ME PLENTY 4 XCOM is a game about balance: knowing you don’t have it, hunting it down, clinging to it for dear life and losing it. Striving for balance is the source of those “XCOM moments” you fi nd yourself in, when you spent your precious few remaining credits on a plasma sniper rifl e only to lose your last sniper to a heavy’s panicked fi re, or when you skirt through a mission with a rookie near death and the closest thing to a sense of accomplishment you’ve felt in hours. There are four diffi culty ratings: easy is for newcomers; medium off ers the “challenging, but fair” approach that sometimes surprises you with its moments both good and bad; classic mode is there for the masochists who want to feel like they’re always a step behind the alien invasion; and impossible mode is best not spoken about without the presence of a licensed psychiatrist. To top them off , there’s an optional toggle called Iron Man that sets the game to only use a single autosave, nothing else – no going back on those bad decisions. It’s the best way to play, and we recommend that once you’ve found your feet on your fi rst play-through, start up another game with Iron Man enabled for the true XCOM experience. - GeometriX
XCOM is both a remake and a game that can 3 Every action you make in combat can have lasting stand on its own merits. So much has changed repercussions. Alien weapons, fragments and alloys are from the original, but it still manages to recreate gathered after many engagements and are the key to a strong 90 many of the nuances that gave the old game its research and engineering pipeline; explosives make for easy charm. Some will claim that there are too many damage in the fi eld but render many artefacts useless to your casualties in the quest for accessibility, but the fi nal package team back at the base. is one that knows exactly what it is, and does a fantastic job of it. 4 Each map in the game is designed by hand, which means there are no more randomly-generated levels. However, the PLUS engagements themselves are randomly assigned which means you’re unlikely to see all of the available maps in a single Well-balanced redesign of classic systems / Plenty of play-through. Additionally, alien placement in the maps is replayability / Multiplayer mode is a good fi t determined at random. MINUS Buggy camera / Combat is too limiting in early game
56 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
Torchlight II Just you, your pet, your friends, and endless fi elds of loot-based organisms...
he fi rst Torchlight, while being an indie tribute to DETAILS the original Diablo, still managed to feel like its own Platforms game. By taking place in a single stratifi ed dungeon, T PC it had a very “arcade” feel, with an emphasis on making Genre you feel powerful and useful right from the start. There Action role- was enough variety in the weapons and enemies to keep playing game you interested, but with a small enough scope to allow Age restriction 1 for ever-refi ned runs down to the depths. The retirement 12 system meant you could roll your own legacy, complete Multiplayer with an ever-improving heirloom weapon or armour, Local adding notches to your lineage every night if you played None hard and fast. It was lonely, with no multiplayer, but user- Online created mods that streamlined things and an ever-faithful 6 players mutating pet could suffi ce. Developer In contrast, Torchlight II feels too self-aware of its Runic Games positioning as “the alternative to Diablo III”. It’s too aware Website of its status of being the David to Diablo III’s Goliath, thus www.torchligh aiming to “beat” Diablo III directly in two areas it knows 2game.com the competition has trouble: features and pricing. That Publisher said, Torchlight II may sacrifi ce too much of its own style Perfect in an attempt to ensure a certain laundry list of features. WorldRunic It feels like Runic fell into the trap of thinking that people Games appreciated Torchlight for being “the little Diablo”, and Distributor so focused too much on making sure Torchlight II hit 1 It looks like a Diablo game took a cartoon pill and then spat Steam / TBC all those Diablo II notes. Even so, while it may not be a out goofi er monsters. locally unique medley, there’s no denying Runic plays the tune 2 The classes are unique and interesting and diff erent. So much eff ortlessly. soso ththatat fforor a cchangehange you wonwon’t’t iimmediatelymmediately fi nndd a ffavourite.avourite. Some elements of Runic’s own thinking on the genre does shine through, like the refi ned pet system. The idea of
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58 November 2012 www.nag.co.za TorchlightTorchlight II
having a pet that fi ghts with you, and is well-trained enough to handle selling your junk in town, isn’t new. You can fi nd the system wholesale in WildTangent’s Fate, which precedes Torchlight by almost half a decade. It’s no surprise though, since Fate was designed by the same person who went on to design Torchlight. For the sequel, your pet has learned a new trick: reading a shopping list. You can specify up to four consumables, like town portal scrolls and mana potions that the pet should bring back from town if you send it off to sell the junk you packed in its trunk. It’s a small thing, but small things add up over time. Four new character classes replace the original three, and each has its own “system” bar that fi lls up when damaging enemies. The Engineer uses heavy steampunk- themed weapons, which get powered up when your bar is full. The Berserker uses animal-themed special powers and super-punchy-fi st action, and gets all critical hits for a while when their bar is full. The Embermage casts spells and gets 12 seconds to cast spells free of charge when their special bar is full. Lastly, the Outlander uses ranged weapons and tribal magic, getting improved dodge and
Four new character classes replace the critical chance when their bar fi lls up. All classes can use all weapon types, for the most part, though you will fi nd original three, and each has its own “system” some items with class-restricting affi xes. Where Torchlight took place in, well, the town of bar that fi lls up when damaging enemies Torchlight, the sequel starts by destroying that town, not just symbolically. The cute and vapid plot (one of the three original classes from the fi rst game goes nuts, powers up and starts sucking the life-force from very important guardian animals) acts as barely suffi cient scaff olding to support your reason for going from place to place. Not that we need a reason: the world is made of loot. The game spans across four acts, following the overly conventional structure of grassy-mountains, desert, forest-swamp and
Read this in a sad voice: “It’s more of the same.” Now read this in a happy voice: “It’s more of 75 the same!” That’s Torchlight II in a nutshell: it’s everything we know and love of the genre, executed fl awlessly, and little else. That’s either awesome, or it’s not, depending on you.
PLUS Matt Uelmen’s music is still wonderful / Plenty of content Can be played offl ine / Has LAN play
MINUS Run speed too damn high / Insta-death mobs / Follows the Diablo II template too religiously / Another desert act…
www.nag.co.za November 2012 59 / REVIEWS /
F1 2012 Almost there; F1 racing at its fi nest
nlike any other kind of game, racing simulators are measured by how true to life they are by individuals U who have never experienced actual racing [same thing can be said about shooting zombies with a shotgun, Ed]. What essentially happens then is that the developer must cater for or at least satisfy the theoretical knowledge players have about the sport, while at the same time making sure there is some actual parity between the game and the discipline. As such, the third instalment in the series from Codemasters attempts to navigate its way through this in the most inconsistent way since the series started. Gone are the player interviews, team busses and such. Not losses at all as these were distractions more than anything else. Instead virtually everything is text-based apart from the track previews and info pages where you are guided through a single lap of the track with advice on car setup, gearing and car placement. Graphically, the game is superb; if you can forgive the embarrassingly low resolution textures in some places, the game looks solid with more natural rendering of outdoor environments, better lighting and notably improved track detail; F1 2012 is amongst the best looking racing simulators on any platform. A mixed bag then, much like car handling which is supposedly improved, and for the most part it is. Of note is tyre wear, which is unusual to say the least. On some tracks it’s predictable, but on others it’s rather annoying The forest in the background has lung cancer because the fall off in grip is much steeper than it should be. Tyres that are supposed to last 16 laps are all but worn out by lap four and given that the minimum race distance is 25%, DETAILS you’ll be two-stopping in a race where all the others cars Platforms have one stop to make. 360 / iOS There are other bugs in the game as well, where your team PC / PS3 engineer insists that you’re holding a position that you are Genre clearly not and this is particularly in the drivers’ championship Racing simulator screen where you’ll be told for instance that you’re still Age restriction 8th as opposed to 17th which is your actual position. Race 3 expectations are also very unreasonable, where your qualifying Multiplayer position exclusively determines where your expected fi nishing Local position should be on race day. A tall order, if by some chance 2 players your HRT car managed to deliver a mundane lap when it was Online dry but most of the other cars were out when it was raining, None hence the slower lap times. Developer In such a situation, your expected fi nishing position would Codemasters always be above where you qualifi ed, which is impossible in an Website HRT and subsequently you’ll fail weekend targets. www. With Codemasters, it seems they keep taking two steps codemasters. forward and one step back, F1 2012 is good, but just not as com good as it should have been. Publisher - ShockG Codemasters Distributor Megarom
F1 2012 is the most polished version of the title since inception, but one can’t help but 80 feel it’s getting very repetitive and lacking in real improvements over the previous titles. F1 2012 still remains the best F1 simulator around however despite its problems.
PLUS Great car modelling / Improved driving dynamic Presentation
MINUS Annoying bugs / Not necessarily better than F1 2011
60 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
PES 2013 That’s better!
he Pro Evolution Soccer franchise has had a hard run of things for a while now. Once it was a solid Tcompetitor, but certain direction changes managed to lay it low in its on-going competition with EA’s football franchise. For a number of years, PES has felt a little directionless at best and a little desperate at worst. With the release of PES 2013, things seem a little diff erent. Over the previous two releases, the developers of this popular franchise have added some great new ideas (although the implementation of those ideas may not have been ideal). Now, those elements of the game dynamic are being merged and tweaked, creating an experience that feels more level and reasonable. But PES is not really moving into the fi eld of super- realistic sports simulation. It seems as though the developers know that EA has this market more or less sewn up, and don’t want to try take the giant FIFA on these terms. Rather, PES 2013 treads a balanced middle ground between simulation and arcade action, carving its own niche as a result. Another area in which PES doesn’t challenge FIFA, but rather follows its own path, is in the on-fi eld play itself. While FIFA tends towards a team experience, PES makes the whole thing about the player who has the ball at the time. Sure, the team AI will still be trying to get those all-important goals, but the overall control scheme allows the player to focus on the moment. This is not done at the expense of strategy; rather it adds an over-the-top fl air to the title that some may fi nd very appealing. Jumping in and just going for it is still an option with this latest iteration, but the clever player will go through
tutorials and take the time to master the nuanced moves DETAILS that PES 2013 has on off er. These really are an edge, particularly in player vs. player games. The player that has Platforms the better grasp of the way the controls work will most 360 / 3DS / PC certainly dominate, and look better doing so. PS2 / PS3 / Wii This includes the precision ball control that PES 2013 Genre has on off er. Once you have the controls down, you will be Sports able to put the ball pretty much anywhere that you want it Age restriction to go (within realistic limits, of course). Team members can 3 also be guided more than before, allowing the player to Multiplayer pull off some really spectacular tactics. Local On the whole, fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief 7 players when they tackle PES 2013. Sure, the game still has some Online issues and quirks (not least of which is the still-overly- 4 players whistle-happy referee). But, as an overall game, PES 2013 Developer off ers a much better experience than we have seen in a Konami few years from the franchise. Website - Ramjet www.konami- europe.com/ games Publisher The best off ering in a few years, PES 2013 refi nes Konami elements of the previous two titles. Distributor 82 Ster Kinekor
PLUS Improved ideas / Best version in a few years
MINUS Twitchy ref / Sometimes complex controls
62 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
FIFA 13 Refi nement MUST PLAY
he FIFA franchise seems to go through development phases. There are years when major Tinnovations take place and there are years when the changes seem less prominent. But it is these years in which the game becomes more refi ned, and stages for further advancement are set. Even if it didn’t seem like it to some, last’s year’s FIFA game was one in which some major changes were implemented. Improved ball control, collision mechanics and similar concepts were added to FIFA 12, making it an even more challenging virtual football experience. This time around – with FIFA 13 – those changes have been refi ned, with tweaks that make the game feel more real than ever. Part of the realism of football, though, is chaos. Yes, there are footballers out there who are immensely skilled, but Control. The player needs to exercise more skill now, with DETAILS even the most brilliant player can make mistakes – and less predictable ball dynamics meaning that steaming full these mistakes become more prevalent in FIFA 13. The speed into a pass may not necessarily be a great idea. Platforms result is a game that is potentially more frustrating, but also The result, though, is that the game becomes more 360 / 3DS / PC more realistic. hardcore… this idea removes a degree of accessibility from PS2 / PS3 / PSP A large part of this comes from the refi ned First Touch the game, which may lead to some frustration for less PS Vita / Wii / Wii U experienced players. Yet, even with this idea in mind, it is Genre a massive improvement in terms of FIFA 13 representing a Sports soccer match that feels like the real thing. Age restriction Some tweaks, though, have lessened the chaos and 3 oddities of the previous title. The physicality of players has Multiplayer been tweaked, meaning that a collision of bodies is less Local likely to result in bizarre (and often comical) consequences. 7 players The game has also added more dribbling control, using Online mechanics derived from last year’s FIFA Street. It takes some 22 players getting used to, but the clever player will now be able to use Developer improved ball handling skills to make a diff erence. EA Sports While last year saw a major tweak to the defensive AI, this Website year sees a big improvement to attacking play. That means fi fa.easports.com that the player will be able to make use of far more reliable Publisher team tactics. AI players will move more intelligently, setting Electronic Arts up for potential attacking manoeuvres far more eff ectively Distributor than before. EA South Africa Motion controls have been added too; the Kinect implementation allows the player to use voice control while playing, which enables them to be a manager as well as player. Voice commands can be used to change tactics, make substitutions and more. The PlayStation Move, though, is less well implemented. It requires the player to point the wand at the screen to control where the ball ends up and manage player movements. It takes some getting used to, to say the least. On the whole, this is a great new iteration of the franchise… this year; once again, we can say that this is probably the best FIFA title yet. It’s my turn to dive next! - Ramjet
It’s a tweak year for the FIFA franchise, but the improved ball dynamics and control systems 88 make it an awesome addition to the series.
PLUS Awesome tweaks / Improved attacking AI / Ball control
MINUS A little more chaotic / Less accessible than before
64 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 MUSTST PLAY Rave War picks up the beat
ekken Tag Tournament 2’s opening cinematic begins with a huge glowing man in the backseat of T a limousine. “Good evening sir. Where to?” asks the driver. “Can’t you tell where?” says the supernatural bruiser. “I must unleash this awesome power!” The essence of TTT2 is in this. It’s good to be reminded that it’s okay for a fi ghting game to be a fi ghting game. It feels weird to say but the contemporary emphasis for the genre has shifted to accessibility: leave no gamer behind. Make sure there’s more to the package than just fi ghting. A sequel eleven years in the making, TTT2 dispenses with attempts to shoehorn in “value added game modes” from past editions of Tekken. Gone is the side scrolling Tekken Force, the improbably named Scenario Campaign Mode from Tekken 6. TTT2 rebuilds the previous entry from the ground up complete with fresh models for a cast of 50+ characters. Over 20 brand new stages. A plethora of tweaks and balance adjustments, and the eponymous tag play which is even optional, as you can select a solo character for 1v1 or 2v1 matchups. Wrap it up in the sparkling presentation of an entertainment sport, and you have the pro wrestling federation for the fi ghting game world. Single-player content does exist, centered primarily on a perfected Ghost Battle mode: fi ght an endless stream of custom characters, with diff erent names, AI fl avours, and strength levels. Win loot every few matches in the form of movies (every character does have a lengthy CG ending), costume parts, and in-game cash. Every time the online menu is accessed, fresh ghosts are automatically downloaded and your own played characters uploaded. Perhaps the single most critical feature of TTT2 is the DETAILS most ubiquitous: it has amazing net code. There was Platforms legitimate cause for concern after Tekken 6’s questionable 360 / PS3 / Wii U online play. Ken Harada, Tekken producer, made much of Genre improving things this time around and playing is believing: Fighting it’s more refi ned than the excellent performance of Namco’s Age restriction own Soul Calibur V; online play for the majority of persons 16 appears superior. Multiplayer Reviewing fi ghters is tough. I’m nothing like a Tekken Local expert; but you can detect a pristine game system when 4 players you see it. Tekken is not easy to learn. TTT2 is no diff erent Online and it is not a beginner’s game. But neither is Tekken obtuse. 4 players Perhaps the fl attest feature is Fight Lab, an attempted story Developer tutorial involving “Combot” the amazing robot. It’s fun, but Namco Bandai doesn’t provide the direction needed. It will get you started, Games but TTT2 is less a game and more of a competitive client. Website It deserves to be recognised that it all comes together as www.tekken. perhaps the best one yet in its class. com - Miktar Publisher Namco Bandai Games Everything Tekken from the past decade rolled Distributor into one, with no defi ciencies. The last fi ghting Megarom 90 game you’ll ever need if you go hardcore. Has a dinosaur with boxing gloves [Nice, Ed].
PLUS More characters than God intended / Online rocks / Catchy soundtrack
MINUS Fight Lab doesn’t cut it / Steep, though reasonable, learning curve
66 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
Dead or Alive 5 The jiggles…
he Dead or Alive franchise has – in terms of fi ghting games – always played second fi ddle to names like T Street Fighter, Tekken and Mortal Kombat. But that may change a little with the release of the latest iteration of the franchise; Dead or Alive 5 addresses many of the issues that held it back, resulting in a game that is what it is meant to be… a fi ghting game. Not at the expense of eye-candy, though. Dead or Alive 5 is still crammed with beautiful characters beating up each other in beautiful locations. The characters are modelled better than before, and improved physics and animations add a lot more believability to them. The lady fi ghters still appear to have gyroscopic jelly-fi lled breast implants, though. Someone on the development team really should fi nd out how boobs move naturally. The jiggling doesn’t do too much to distract from the rest of the game, although the overall eff ect of the visuals can almost be overwhelming. The environments, for example, are beautifully handled, believable and, above all, interactive. There will be more than one occasion in which you will send an opponent fl ying into something that smashes or explodes, and the often multi-tiered levels are also enhanced with “cinematic” events that add to the chaos of the matches. Not that the fi ghting is overly chaotic, mind you… Dead or Alive 5 allows the player – regardless of skill level – to engage in huge, strategic fi ghts. This is in part due to the fact that the overall fi ghting system has been tweaked rather nicely. Some of the highly-exploitable moves and ideas from previous iterations have been solidly adjusted. It is more diffi cult for a button-masher to dominate now, and those that learned secret moves that could be exploited in DETAILS never-ending cycles of carnage will have less of an unfair Platforms advantage this time around. Basically, as far as being a This is a fi ghting game, we promise 360 / PS3 fi ghting game, Dead or Alive 5 is very decent, and most Genre certainly the best title the franchise has to off er. Fighting The game does lack in certain areas… some of the Age restriction plot points and situations in the story-mode smack of 16 bad kung fu movies (the kind of “I’m bored, wanna fi ght” Multiplayer ideas that are utterly ridiculous) but, for the most part, Local these can be ignored. Rather, improved controls, excellent 4 players implementation of side stepping – really excellent, in fact Online – and an overall presentation that can be breath-taking at 16 players times combine to form a game that is not only enjoyable, Developer but extremely appealing. Team Ninja Has the red-headed step-child of the fi ghting genre Website fi nally reached a point where it may get some valued teamninja- recognition? Perhaps… That depends on the community, studio.com/ of course, but Team Ninja have made all the right moves teamninja/doa5/ to bring the Dead or Alive franchise to the fore with this Publisher latest instalment. - Ramjet Tecmo Koei Distributor Silverscreen Trading Undoubtedly the best DOA title to date, Dead or Alive 5 concentrates less on eye candy and more 82 on fi ghting.
PLUS Much improved / Awesome visuals
MINUS Some silly plot devices / Ridiculous breast physics
68 November 2012 www.nag.co.za / REVIEWS / / REVIEWS /
The Sims 3: Supernatural Not so magical
he Sims 3 has chugged along for a few years now, releasing expansions from T time to time that have enhanced the game, added new dynamics and provided the players with more to do. The idea behind these expansions is to make the game even more compelling and draw the player further in, with more complexity in the lives of their virtual people. And, for the most part, expansions like Ambitions and World Adventures have done just that. But The Sims 3: Supernatural manages to fail where others have succeeded. Where other expansions DETAILS introduced great new ideas and careers, Platforms Supernatural introduces only one rather PC shallow career path, and adds a lot of chaotic Genre random events that can, quite literally, ruin an Life simulator established game. Age restriction The player will also have the ability to 12 become one of the magical races introduced Multiplayer in the title, but there are limited benefi ts to Local doing this. And those benefi ts aren’t passed None on to off spring, either. You can avoid the Online fetch-and-carry quests that will transform None your character by simply creating one that Developer is a member of a new race, but the problem The Sims Studio persists… they just aren’t all that cool. Maxis Instead of being a great enhancement, Website Supernatural feels more like a bad True Blood www.thesims3. episode, and the demands on the player’s com system don’t help either. Perhaps the next Publisher expansion will make up for the limited fun Electronic Arts this one off ers. Distributor - Ramjet EA South Africa
How women see men
This is the fi rst expansion for The Sims 3 that feels non-essential. It doesn’t do much to enhance the 50 experience.
PLUS New races / Some fun to be had
MINUS Can ruin an established game / System resource heavy / Buggy
www.nag.co.za November 2012 69 / REVIEWS /
1 While the game requires real-time input from your guitar, the feedback is in snippets of pre-recorded audio. This leads to a Rocksmith little bit of aural confusion at fi rst (especially when you only slightly miss a note), but it’s not noticeable once you pick up No more clickety-clack! the pace and start to play all the notes in a song. If you want to hear just your own strumming, there’s a free play mode with any local gamers have been clacking away at plastic customisable amps and pedals with which you can play. guitars since Guitar Hero 2 fi rst launched, but when 2 Rocksmith features a set of mini-games in the form of Rock Band and its drum kit was released, suddenly, M Guitarcade which help you to practise fi nger exercises like players could learn some actual musical ability from playing scales, slides and bends while competing for high scores. a video game. The next evolution was obvious: we needed be able to plug in and play with a real guitar. Well, now we’re at that point – that’s what Rocksmith lets you do: any guitar (or bass, with the downloadable addon) with a pickup is supported; you simply plug it in to your console or PC using the included cable, and away you go. Only instead of pressing plastic buttons as the colours fl y towards you, you’re fretting and strumming real strings. Unlike Guitar Hero, Rock Band and almost every other music 1 game on the market, Rocksmith focuses less on traditional video game elements and more on the idea that it’s a virtual instructor. It’s meant to be played by people of all skill levels, from beginner to pro, and it does a pretty good job at that with its huge selection of lessons on techniques and chords in addition to the 50+ full music tracks. Those music tracks are the star of the show, and can either be played in a progressive career mode which groups together songs of similar challenge levels, or entirely at your own pace from the songs menu. As you play through a track (and most of the technique challenges), the game dynamically scales the diffi culty level to match your performance. This tries to match the method of learning to play a song the traditional way, but it can be a little daunting if you fi nd yourself doing too well and all of a sudden have to deal with a new chord or technique. DETAILS Rocksmith is in desperate need of a function to pause the Platforms game in mid-song and provide a clear view of the upcoming 360 / PC / PS3 chords to give players a chance to prepare ahead of time. And, Genre while there is a feature to pick out and play specifi c phrases Music/rhythm from specifi c songs, the process is far more bulky and time- Age restriction consuming than any methods outside of the gaming scope. 12 What’s worse, you have to keep going back to your controller Multiplayer to navigate the menu; there’s no implementation of the guitar Local input for moving through the user interface. 2 players Technical issues aside, let’s answer the burning question: Online does Rocksmith teach you how to play the guitar? Yes, at a None basic level, but more importantly it sets you on the right track Developer by teaching you the techniques you need to play certain Ubisoft songs and string together plenty of chords to make your own Website sounds. You won’t be able to get on stage and rock out with rocksmith.ubi. a pack of college kids, but once you’ve mastered Rocksmith, com you will be well on your way. From there on out, it’s up to you Publisher to grab a couple of books on the theory, jam with friends, fi nd Ubisoft a human instructor, or buy a copy of Guitar Pro, download Distributor some tablature and keep going down the long road of practice Megarom makes perfect. - GeometriX
Rocksmith is held back from perfection by a few technical issues, but it’s the best real guitar 82 learning experience you can have right now on your gaming console or PC. It’s challenging, 2 exciting and, above all – practical.
PLUS Wide variety of lessons, songs and exercises / Excellent learning tool
MINUS Poorly implemented interface / Practising individual phrases and chords is a sluggish process / Long (and too frequent) loading
70 November 2012 www.nag.co.za / REVIEWS / / REVIEWS /
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants Arrrrh!
s the sort that lack action, adventure DETAILS and intrigue, management games need Platforms Ato have that something special – that 360 / PC / PS3 hook that digs in so surreptitiously you wouldn’t Genre notice, but once it’s got you, you’ll know – it’s Management usually around 3am and you’ve just realised simulation that the sun has set. These games don’t need Age restriction incredible visuals, but what they do need is 12 a well organised user interface to go with Multiplayer compelling gameplay. Bad luck then for Port Local Royale 3 – it has none of those features. None Pirates & Merchants is, as you’d expect, Online about plundering and/or trading throughout 4 players the many towns dotted about the Caribbean Developer during a time when swashes were frequently Gaming Minds buckled and seaside taverns were as much of a Studio place for a brawl as a pint. In addition to single- Website and multiplayer free play modes (with all the www.port- expected sliders to adjust the game world), the royale3.com game off ers up two campaigns: one focused on Publisher trading, and the other on adventuring. But both Kalypso Media serve as little more than elaborate tutorials and Distributor last only a few hours at best, and once you’ve Silverscreen completed the pleasant but otherwise inane Trading story of each, it simply converts to free-play mode anyway. While the act of trading and the mechanisms that drive this part of the game are solid enough, the other associated activities of upgrading towns and dealing with national politics are less well-formed. The pirating side is a similar mixed bag: naval combat is fun, but attacking ports is simply a matter of steamrolling with superior numbers instead of requiring any form of tactical thinking. - GeometriX
Most players will ultimately play somewhere in the middle of Port Royale 3’s off ering, and if you do so, 55 you’ll be able to keep yourself entertained for a few hours with the game’s fi ner points; past that, there’s not enough depth to the management aspects to keep one coming back for much longer.
PLUS It’s fun for a bit / Naval combat is entertaining
MINUS Bulky user interface / Few overall tactical challenges / Management aspects lack depth / Dated visuals
www.nag.co.za November 2012 71 Bits and bobs that can all be fi led under gaming lifestyle
ADVENTURE TIME: FINN 10” SUPER POSEABLE FIGURE
If you’re not familiar with mounted inside his head, a busted- Adventure Time, you’re probably up sword and a big ol’ green on the safer side of sanity, but for backpack (which we couldn’t fi gure those who have become lost to out how to fi t, but we’re sure you’ll this terrifyingly hilarious cartoon, manage because you’re probably a this is just what you need to show lot smarter than us). your love. This deluxe version of Supplier: Animeworx Finn has interchangeable faces RRP: R380
MAGIC: THEE GATHERING:GATHERING: RETURN TO RAVNICA EXPANSIONION PACKPACK
Just last month we told you about return of the EExilexile mmechanic,ec and M13 – this year’s collection of introduces Populate (a nasty little new core cards for Magic: The ability that will help anyone grow Gathering. Return to Ravnica their armies of tokens to almost is the next expansion for this preposterous scales) as well as popular card game and can be Overload – a menacing ability yours in the form of themed, that can turn innocent and cheap dual-element intro packs (each spells into game-changers. includes two boosters and playing Supplier: Blowfi sh Entertainment instructions), booster packs and RRP: R189.95 (intro packs); a “fat pack”, for a total of 274 R49.95 (booster packs); cards. This new edition sees a R499.95 (fat packs)
PORTAL 2: POTATOS SCIENCE KIT Potatoes are power! Plug this to combine your love of starchy DIY spud-powered GladOS kit tubers with sarcastic AI, you won’t into any real, actual potato and fi nd a better one that this. witness it come to life. If you’ve Supplier: Animeworx been looking for an opportunity RRP: R345
72 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE Everything Else
FEAR ITSELF STAR WARS: BOBA FETT Avengers! Nazis! Bright 1/10 VINYL KIT colours! Punchy text! It’s (CLOUD CITY VER.) a big fat trade paperback about superheroes and Presumably the Sarlacc Pit supervillains, expertly version is such a disgusting mess illustrated by Stuart of digested meat and guts that Immonen and written nobody would buy it. Or they’re by Matt Fraction to the just trying to split up versions level that you’d expect of Boba Fett to make more from Marvel. money. He is cloned… so we’ll Supplier: Animeworx buy it on that basis. It’s a RRP: R320 model kit because you have to build it which involved pushing arms and his head into place. There’s even a set of instructions and two extra arms inside the overly large box. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R735
BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY Fill in those narrative gaps between Arkham Asylum and Arkham City with this trade paperback from writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Illustrated Series) and illustrator Carlos D’anda (Deathblow). The story follows Bats’ degradation from hero to outlaw and introduces readers to the transition of the infamous asylum to the practically free society that it becomes. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R180
THEMED SKELANIMALS Just when you thought these undead plushies couldn’t get any more adorable, they’ve started playing dress-up as characters from the Toynami, Warner and DC stables. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R465 (full-size); R170 (clip-ons)
www.nag.co.zawww.nag.cocoo.zazza NNovemberovember 20122012 7373 / HARDWARE /
DREAMMACHINE A new headset and the fastest SSD money can buy right now. All these come together in this issue to make an already great machine, that much closer to perfection. The price is high, but the gaming experience unparalleled.
PSU NEW Cooler Master Silent Pro GRAPHICS OS DRIVE M2 1500Watt PSU GIGABYTE GV-N680SO-2GD Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB R3,300 / www.coolermaster.com R7,329 / www.gigabyte.com R2,499 / www.corsair.com
STORAGE DRIVE CHASSIS DISPLAY Seagate Barracuda 3TB Cooler Master COSMOS II ASUS VG278H 3D Monitor R1,799 / www.seagate.com R3,399 / www.coolermaster.com R8,999 / za.asus.com
KEYBOARD GIGABYTE Aivia Osmium MOUSE MOUSE MAT Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Roccat Kone [+] Roccat Alumic R1,299 / www.gigabyte.com R899 / www.roccat.org R319 / www.roccat.org
HEADPHONES NEW SOUND SPEAKERS Creative Labs Sound Asus Xonar Essence STX Logitech Z-5500 Digital Blaster Recon3D Omega R1,399 / za.asus.com R3,699 / www.logitech.com R2,995/ www.creativelabs.com
74 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Hardwired Technology and you
There aren’t many ways in which technology progresses in this world. There’s the natural progression of miniaturization and maturity and then there’s the other, more natural force which is the introduction and evolution of technologies from pure Intel necessity and nothing else. As with most things, it’s best if these Intel Core i7 3960X are both present in the technological evolution. R10,499 / www.intel.com Smartphones are a great example of miniaturization. That is ASUS Rampage IV Extreme how we have quad core host CPUs and fairly competent GPUs R4,999 / za.asus.com in our phones. That there’s very little to do with them is a direct consequence of this miniaturization process. It’s true that 16GB quad channel DDR3 2,400 MHz memory R2,199 / www.gskill.com technology allows us to be more innovative and dream grander dreams than before, however that only holds provided that the progress we make in our devices is tethered to our imagination in some meaningful way. In the case of smartphones, or “super phones”, it is not. Simply put, from the days of the fi rst cellular phones, at least GSM phones, we’ve had the same compression and voice quality as we do today. So that’s at least 25 years of cellular technology in the public space that’s not changed in any way. That we still have “Everything in and around the phones has improved other than Intel Dream Machine price: the primary function.“
R58,632 trouble hearing people on our phones sometimes is something that should be concerning to all of us. Imagine if telephone quality improved a little – to 22 KHz with a 16-bit sample rate, for example. That would be signifi cantly better than what we have right now. It doesn’t necessarily have to be these properties, but I use them just to highlight how poor the audio quality we accept on our phones is. Everything in and around the phones has improved other than the primary function. So we’ve essentially ended up with very powerful computers which happen to have telephonic capabilities. On the fl ip side to that, we have surface/touch computing that’s becoming ever more prevalent. This kind of interaction with computing devices is a necessary progression because it’s the most natural way to interact with anything. Be it touch, AMD speech and everything in between, the only thing preventing that kind of interaction was the lack of computing power. Now AMD Phenom II X6 1100T / AMD FX 8150 R2,299 / www.amd.com that we are creeping ever more steadily to terafl op processing in our everyday devices, it’ll only be a matter of time before we have GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD7 a massive convergence between all sensory input, and natural R2,999 / www.gigabyte.com speech interaction. 16GB G.SKILL TridentX F3-2400C10D How simple it will seem will be a direct measure of how far R1,299 / www.gskill.com we’ve come in processing capabilities. This is but one instance of necessity driving technology. With such possibilities our imaginations are once again liberated from the plateau which we fi nd ourselves in presently. Technology is more inspired when it addresses a fundamental problem for humanity or society. Powerful phones work to the exclusion of some, whereas complete sensory input computing and interaction works to the inclusion of most if not everyone. Both are progressions in technology, but underpinned diff erently at a fundamental level. That which should inspire any kind of research or scientifi c endeavor should necessarily be, “How AMD Dream Machine price: would the world be improved if we eliminated this problem or hurdle?” rather than “What can we add to something that already exists?” R41,533 - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za November 2012 75 / HARDWARE /
SANDISK ULTRA FOR ANDROID MICRO SD CARD WITH ADAPTER 8GB TECHNEWS Load your apps, images and, most importantly, games, faster with this high- speed Micro SD card that will fi t into most Android phones and tablets. R110 | www.sandisk.comk.com KNOWYOURTECHNOLOGY
AIFF AIFF is an audio fi le format that was commonly used on Apple Macintosh systems of old. The standard caught traction and is still used today in more professional environments as an alternative to other uncompressed formats such as WAV. AIFF is both a container and fi le format, and as such includes some features like loop point data and musical note samples which can be used by hardware samplers and musical application.
NZXT HUE RGB PCI-X LED CONTROLLER PCI-eXtended is a slightly older expansion standard that Keen to adjust the colour, brightness and pulse speed of the lighting kit inside your was superseded by PCI Express. It operated at speeds case? This 5.25” bay device allows you to ranging from 133 to 533MHz. It was backwards compatible do just that. You can mix and match your colour options, and create eff ects such with the still present PCI system, so it was parallel in as fading and pulsating. Includes a 2m LED strip nature. The standard did not gain ground when introduced R499 | www.evetech.co.za in 1998 and subsequently saw its demise in 2004 when PCI Express offered not only simpler logic, but significantly more bandwidth.
PROM Programmable Read-Only Memory is a type of ROM that is programmed after the memory is constructed. PROM chips are used in cell phones, video game consoles, RFID tags, medical devices and other electronics. A standard PROM can only be programmed once, as PROMs are manufactured using fuses which are burned to program a specifi c binary pattern. While this is a one time process, there are other PROMs that DID YOU KNOW? do allow rewriting like EPROMs. Ever wonder what it takes to setup the NAG LAN @ rAge? The SAS infrastructure for this year’s LAN Serial Attached SCSI is a communication protocol used to consisted of the following … move data to and from computer storage devices such as • 35 km network cable hard drives and tape drives. SAS is a point-to-point serial • 2,580 gamer network points • 5,300 power outlets protocol that replaces the parallel SCSI bus technology but it • 1,500 tables uses the standard SCSI command set. SAS off ers backwards- • 2,600 chairs • 100 switches compatibility with second-generation SATA drives so drives • Multiple 8 port gigabit trunks may be connected to SAS backplanes but SAS drives may not • 10G fi bre links • 5 days to setup be connected to SATA backplanes. • 1 day to break down
76 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Tech news
COOLERMASTER ROC MACBOOK PRO AND IPAD STAND Want to watch movies on your iPad without holding it up? The cross-slit design of the ROC Mosh Pit stand allows for easy display of many of your Apple devices. Available in black or white. R449 | www.coolermaster.com
ADATA DASHDRIVE ELITE HE720 500GB Measuring a mere 8.9mm thick and covered in a stylish brushed stainless steel casing, this 500GB drive supports both USB 2.0 and 3.0. R908 | www.titan-ice.co.za
ECS EZ BUN Simply plug the Ez BUN into your phone and enjoy crystal clear audio through the built-in stereo speakers and omnidirectional microphone. Works with virtually every phone and also doubles as a portable speaker. R999 | www.ecs.com.tw
“At Dell, we listen to customers, value their feedback, and adapt our approach based on these needs. Meeting our # 40 Mbps customers’ needs has always been Dell’s priority - since its inception in 1984. The feedback from customers suggested BY THE NUMBERS a need for more options and variety of the Alienware brand Telkom Internet is currently doing a high speed broadband pilot programme. available in South Africa, so that users can select the unit that Broadband speeds of up to 40 Mbps will meets both their needs and their pockets. Therefore, I am be tested in the pilot where Telkom has deployed new generation access network proud to announce the launch of www.alienware.co.za.” kits in fi ve areas of three provinces in South Gavin Slevin, Dell South Africa Africa: Benmore Gardens, Fourways and Waterkloof in Gauteng; Durban North in and developing countries retail manager Kwa-Zulu Natal and Durbanville in the Western Cape. The trial takes place from now until end of January 2013.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 77 / HARDWARE / The lazy gamer’s guide
Tt eSports Level 10M Gaming Mouse
Website www.corex.co.za RRP R1,199
There’s no shortage of fancy-looking, wallet- punching, high-performing gaming mice on the market, but with so many dedicated peripheral manufacturers like Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Mad Catz and Roccat, we’re still not entirely sure why Thermaltake has been so keen to take on this intensely competitive industry. Their previous off erings have been decent enough, and sometimes a little weird (we’re looking at you, Cyclone), but the Level 10M is obviously Tt’s way of saying “step aside, sissies, let a real man show you how it’s done.”
78 November 2012 www.nag.co.za The lazy gamer’s guide
TECHNICAL PROS • Great Sensor performance up to 8,200 DPI, • Looks cool four levels • High DPI sensor Onboard storage 218kb CONS Programmable • Not suitable for buttons claw grip 11 • Superfl uous Gaming profi les styling and 5 adjustments Colour selection four regions, seven ALTERNATIVES colour options • Cyborg R.A.T. 7
WOULD YOU horseshoe pattern on the scroll- software is capable of confi guring pivot to the left or the right. To LOOK AT THAT? wheel has no noticeable impact the device’s sensitivity, setting up be frank, we didn’t notice much Look at this thing; it’s like a on traction; and the seemingly macro keys and adjusting the LEDs improvement one way or the half-transformed Decepticon! missing bits on the sides and back – everything you’d expect from a other with the latter tweak, but The 10M’s showy exterior might really only serve to provide fewer mouse of this calibre and price. the ability to raise the palm rest is look like it houses a number of gripping positions and reduced certainly welcome. On that note, incredible features alongside a fl ux structural integrity. GET A GRIP if you’re the type who favours a capacitor and coff ee maker, but The 10M bears a striking poised claw grip over the deeper despite the fl ash, this is a pretty GAME ON resemblance to the Mad palm style, then you might want bog-standard, if high-end, gaming As soon as you fi re up your Catz RAT series with its to shop around: with so few mouse. The hex grill on top does favourite game, you’ll know that, deconstructed, industrial styling, points available for you to grip nothing but let you peer inside for all its fl air, the 10M really does and it includes a couple of tricks the mouse on its sides, you might from another angle (it’s meant to mean business. This mouse glides from the competitor’s bag. There fi nd that extended periods of increase airfl ow to reduce sweaty with ease thanks to its overall light are two points of adjustment – gaming result in cramped digits if hands, but it fails at that); the weight (which is unfortunately the rear palm rest can be raised those bits that are available aren’t LED rectangle thing on the main not adjustable) and smooth pads or lowered, and the whole where you’re used to sticking button is just there for show; the on the underside. The included bottom part can be adjusted to your fi ngers.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 79 MSI
A gathering of the best overclockers of 2012 MOA
TaiPei will never be the same again. 2012
80 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE MSI MOA 2012
ay what you may about MSI, but out of all the major mainboard vendors, they are the only ones who have hosted an extreme overclocking competition every year for the last Sfi ve years. If that doesn’t speak of the vendor’s dedication to the enthusiasts then nothing else will. This year in its usual fashion, MSI had seeding events all over the world and the winners from each region were the ones who met this year in Taipei, Taiwan. MSI gathered 16 teams in total, each represented by two individuals. One would think that with fi ve years of overclocking competitions, teams would vary by the year to some degree, but it turns out that this is pretty much the same group of people from many years back. As such, these competitors are putting on an exhibition for the public more than they are trying to best each other. The atmosphere for MOA 2012 was easily the most relaxed in all overclocking competitions to date. Despite all the mishaps that are part and parcel of live overclocking, there wasn’t any animosity, aggression or otherwise negative sentiment amongst any of the teams. This was easily the best overclocking competition in that regard and possibly in other ways as well as we will highlight to you.
THE HARDWARE MSI chose the X79 platform for this competition but you may think that Z77 was more appropriate since MSI’s best motherboard at present is based on the Z77 chipset. However, MSI’s decision to go with the X79 platform makes sense if only because it’s a simpler platform to overclock and the margins between samples are smaller compared to Ivy Bridge CPUs. The clock ceiling for most SNB-E CPUs is around 5.4GHz and the ones termed “bad” are usually capable of 5.2GHz. Not only did this reduce the luck element in component selection but it also meant that the competitors could focus on tweaking their machines to get the best scores rather than fi ghting for those 6.5GHz+ frequencies and battling for stability. As for motherboards, MSI naturally chose More than their Big Bang X Power as it’s their fl agship 1,000 litres of X79 off ering. The board may not have been to liquid Nitrogen everyone’s liking but nobody complained about was used being held back by any indelicacies, in fact some during the competitors had only praise for the mainboard, entire day. which is rare to hear at an overclocking competition. The graphics card of choice and the real diamond here was the GTX 680 Lightning Edition which has proved to be the most powerful GTX 680 on the market, at least in terms of the sheer number of people who have managed to reach speeds above 1.8GHz with it. Memory was courtesy of Kingston and their 2,400MHz Hyper-X Genesis kits, 1,275Watt PSUs from Thermaltake and Velociraptor drives
www.nag.co.za November 2012 81 from Western Digital. MSI had a great lineup of fate in the benchmark that followed. hardware, a package more than capable of the Last, and easily our favourite, was 3DMark11. task at hand. With records being broken recently in the benchmark, MSI had a great incentive for the competitors (or warriors as they were THE BENCHMARKS referred to) encouraging them to not only try This is another area where MSI struck gold, to win in the benchmark but break the world off ering not only the most straightforward record. Suffi ce to say this didn’t happen, but benchmarks at MOA, but possibly of all the scores were impressive nonetheless with competitions. It’s true that diff erent overclockers a couple over the 15,000 point mark. Overall prefer diff erent benchmarks but when we asked this was the perfect selection of benchmarks around there wasn’t a single one who had any and should any other vendor consider hosting issue with the three chosen programs. 32M was another live competition, these are defi nitely possibly the most technical as it was not sheer the benchmarks to go with. They are fairly clock speed, but tweaking a lot and knowing straightforward, visually appealing (other than how to extract the most from the system. Easily SuperPi 32M) and without too much bias to any the most boring of the lot, if only because it’s one component. not visual and it takes a long time. 3DMark03 followed and things started to get interesting there because it was the THE COMPETITORS fi rst of two 3D benchmarks. Clock speeds Out of the 16 invited teams, only 15 showed were going to matter here for both the CPU up as there was a problem with visas and and GPU and this is where things either got the Greek team. Many expressed their very hairy for competitors or they potentially disappointment as Greece has some of the secured their victory. The GPU clock speeds most prolifi c overclockers the scene has for 3DMark03 and 3DMark11 would be ever known. Despite this, the competition similar and if your score wasn’t up to par in went on as planned and it’s fair to say each 3DMark03, you would likely suff er the same region was represented by the best or at least fairly competent overclockers. Well known people such as OC_WINDFORCE, Splave, Romdominance, Hazzan, Rbuass, Ryba, Alva (the winner of MSI’s fi rst MOA competition), RIGHT: Smoke, Stoola, Matose, Deanzo, Vivi and a NVIDIA booth host of others. babes and rep. Odd to see Mutual respect was the order of the day BOTTOM: NVIDIA at an and each team was very honest about the By the time this overclocking capabilities of their hardware when asked photo was taken the competition even by competitors. The venue had other contestants had, given their overclockers as well who were not competing, gone through more position on the and the top four overclockers of the world than six straight hours hobby of late. who each once held the number one position of overclocking.
82 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE MSI MOA 2012
LEFT: Andrew and Vivi representing SA
placing considering that the two competitors have only ever had a single overclocking session together and they could not prepare in advance. Problems with the VGA card and cold boots prevented them from scoring any higher, but they did submit respectable scores in each benchmark, even though they had amongst the lowest clocking CPUs of the day. Indonesia had three teams and a fourth Indonesian veteran overclocker Hazzan who had teamed up with the extremely talented overclocker Rbuass all the way from Sao-Paulo. Once again they could not prepare together prior to the competition and they battled with the hardware, even though both are amongst the best overclockers active today. The New Zealand team suff ered a ABOVE: showed up to support the event. MSI’s resident catastrophic loss of two graphics cards and Joanna and Ryba, overclocking expert and demigod Elmor all the they had to bow out of the competition, who took 3rd place at way from Sweden showed up as well, which proving once again that live overclocking the end of the day really helped sell the competition as the premier events are nothing like overclocking at home overclocking contest of the world and making it in the comfort of familiar surroundings with the best one the community had ever seen. unlimited time. It was a grueling nine hours of overclocking and by the time the competition was fi nished, one could see the wear and tear THE COMPETITION on the faces. Even though they had plenty The competition wasn’t as dramatic when of fuel courtesy of McDonalds and Red Bull, compared to previous years. This was probably the sheer amount of time and concentration the result of the platform, but it’s fair to say required exhausted all the competitors. Having that the simplicity or rather the absence of said that, they all came alive at the MSI after unnecessary complexity lent itself to a fairly party at Hooters, which was the perfect ending consistent distribution of results. Team Korea, to a near perfect competition. with littleboy and OC_Windforce dominated the competition, followed by the USA team with Splave and Romdominance and fi nally IN CLOSING Joanna and Ryba. The best looking team of the In closing, we would like to like thank MSI and competition, not because of Ryba, but Joanna all the partners for a great competition. With was particularly appealing to the overclockers each successive year the competition gets more it seemed. Team Korea not only had the fastest refi ned and as stated before, this was the best CPU, but with so much experience between the live overclocking competition that has ever been two overclockers, they quickly secured a decent hosted. From the hardware to the benchmarks, placing in Super Pi 32M even though they didn’t the judging and the hosting, MSI have win it. From then on they simply walked away become almost masterful with these kinds of from the competition at each stage, and in the competitions. Next year should be even better end it had been a forgone conclusion as to who and we shall return to cover MOA 2013. Until would win. then look forward to the MSI GTX 680 Lightning Our own South African team tried valiantly review in the next issue, the graphics card that but despite their best eff orts, weren’t able was used in the competition and easily the best to secure a place higher than 8th. Not a bad GTX 680 for overclocking right now.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 83 / HARDWARE / Review
BENCHMARKS
3DMark11 performance
Just Cause 2 DX10 720p 1,663
Unigine Heaven Xtreme 49.42
Hard Reset 2,076.967 DX9 1080p
Sniper Elite V2 low detail 720p 38.6
47.5
AMD A10 5800K APU Supplier AMD Website www.amd.com RRP TBA
he last six years have been very improvements and as such the CPU performance this APU has to off er. The diffi cult for AMD in every way. resembles the upcoming (at the time) SPECS faster the memory you have, the better TThere’s no denying that the outfi t Vishera CPUs more than it does the Core your gaming performance will be. We’d has gone from being a true market original Bulldozer. Essentially, it’s Quad core Trinity have liked to go into detailed scaling leader in some segments to obscurity another attempt by AMD to execute a (32nm) results, but we simply don’t have the in others, and no existence at the philosophically plausible idea that just Frequency space here, so take our word for it worst. One needs only to look at the didn’t translate as well with their fi rst 3.8GHz that you want as fast a memory set as history as is recorded in the numbers to attempt. Cache possible, within reason of course. Given realize that AMD is but a shadow of its So what we have with the 5800K 4,290KB (2MB L2) the price point it would be absurd to former self. is an APU with a total package TDP Package spend as much on a set of memory That, however, isn’t news and that’s of 100W, not surprising there as it’s FM2 as you would on the actual APU, but now what this component we have still based on the 32nm node from GPU suffi ce to say those sub-2,000MHz kits here is about. In fact, this second Global Foundries. In addition to that, AMD Radeon HD are highly discouraged. attempt at their aptly named APU just we have two modules equaling four 7660D The most interesting part about may swing things in AMD’s favor in execution cores, so in both logic and the A10 5800K is that despite its very a meaningful manner. Given that it’s at a silicon level, if you will you have low CPU performance as compared taken what seems to be an eternity four execution cores via two modules. to the Intel CPUs, when you compare PLUS for AMD’s purchase of ATI to pay The memory controller has been the performance in games, the 5800K • Best IGP on the off . Our fi rst experience with AMD’s beefed up a little and speeds as high wins by a sizeable margin. Simply put, market previous generation A8 APUs left us as 2,133MHz are offi cially supported. there’s no amount of overclocking you • Great value underwhelmed ever so slightly. The This isn’t just a check box upgrade can perform on the Intel Core CPUs • Pricing idea was sound but the execution was but is very important as the memory that would make them comparable
anything but that. In fact, we were speed directly determines the graphics in gaming performance to this APU. MINUS rather disappointed with how it all performance. This is what we are Finally the ATI acquisition is paying • Not as cool as it came together, leveraging a mediocre primarily concerned with actually off directly and proof of that is in should be CPU technology with a less than because this is what negates the how virtually all games are playable • Main CPU still aggressive GPU confi guration. Despite passable performance of the host CPU. on the 5800K provided you make lacking all this, AMD’s APUs showed some Going back to what we stated some sacrifi ces in visual fi delity promise and measured up well against earlier, we tested the system with specifi cally where rendering resolution BOTTOM LINE Intel’s off erings. diff erent memory confi gurations. is concerned. As stated earlier, AMD’s second With the Trinity cores, and in Since this is a dual channel system, bandwidth is limited and resolution attempt at an particular the high-end 5800K memory bandwidth isn’t plentiful so is heavily dependent on the available APU is excellent, model, we have a diff erent animal every bit counts. If you are going to memory bus width. As the core of delivering the to study. Based on the refi ned and use 1,600MHz memory then you’ll a media center PC or HTPC fastest IGP we updated Bulldozer architecture, the be doing yourself a huge disservice there is very little that should have seen yet. CPU side of things leverages a few as you’ll only get a fraction of the incentivize someone to look
84 November 2012 www.nag.co.za “The most interesting part about the A10 5800K is that despite its very low CPU performance as compared to the Intel CPUs, when you compare the performance in games, the 5800K wins by a sizeable margin. ”
elsewhere because the 5800K and the not too long ago had a total of 400. rest of the family for that matter are There’s a lot more to say about the truly the fi rst host processor and GPU APU, but we have briefl y discussed combination that actually deliver game all the important parts. Despite some capable performance. You will be issues regarding specifi c memory limited to 1280x720 in most titles, but modules we could not get to work, in a few you may be able to get away (this could very well be a motherboard with full 1080p gaming. For example, issue and unrelated to the CPU) we we tried as with all the others, several like this APU a lot. If a discreet GPU is diff erent confi gurations for Hard Reset, not an option for you, then you have but eventually settled on 1920x1080p no choice but to go with the 5800K with the high visual setting. The or the rest of the family as you’ll not frame rate was comfortable enough fi nd anything better from Intel. Sure at 38fps, which takes it far ahead of enough you’ll have signifi cantly better what Intel is presently off ering in Ivy- CPU performance, but it doesn’t mean Bridge based CPUs. anything for the most part if all you’ll We are further impressed by the be doing is watching movies, listening feature set of the 7000 series GPU to music and playing games on your on the 5800K. Not only does it TV. For that kind of usage scenario, the support DX11, but it has full compute AMD 10 APU is the best bar none. We features and an impressive 384 here at NAG are fans of the A10 compute cores. That’s not bad at all 5800K. 8 considering that the HD 4870 from - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za October 2012 85 / HARDWARE / Reviews
SPECS PLUS Sensor • Inexpensive Avago 3090 • Quality optical sensor (up construction CM Storm Recon to 4,000 DPI) • Comfortable to use Supplier Sonic Informed Website www.cmstorm.com RRP 475 Polling rate / response time 1,000Hz / 1ms MINUS ntering the gaming mouse Response time • Button arena at R475, CM Storm’s 1ms placement Recon is obviously targeted E Onboard memory • Obtuse driver at those who desire all the Stores up to fi ve package functionality of a basic gaming profi les and 36 mouse without having to spend macros BOTTOM LINE crazy amounts of cash for extra Cable length Aff ordable layers of superfl uous features. Its 1.8 metres and perfectly low price does not equate to low functional, the CM quality, however – it’s a mouse that Storm Recon is a boasts solid, comfortable design, good choice for with only a few design faults. gamers on a tight It boasts all the features you budget. expect, with on-the-fl y adjustable DPI (via two buttons south of the mouse wheel) between four presets of 800, 1,600, 3,200 and sensitivity setting is selected. You’re opted to cater to both lefties and to disable the off ending buttons 4,000 DPI, but these four levels can also able to create new mouse righties by having back/forward – but it does mean that if you be customised by downloading profi les, assign macros to buttons buttons on both sides of the decide to assign macros to those the Recon’s driver package. From (with delay options and the like) mouse – which is fi ne, except same buttons, you might fi nd the somewhat fi nicky driver and more. you’ll fi nd that your ring fi nger yourself accidentally activating interface, you can adjust a number While the design of the mouse will constantly, accidentally hit those macros at undesirable of diff erent settings – such as is mostly comfortable (depending these buttons (which are highly moments. You’ll eventually get changing the colour of the Recon’s on your preferences, of course), sensitive), which can be annoying used to it though, and once LED lighting, assigning diff erent there are annoyances with button when browsing the web, for you have, you’ll be happy colours to diff erent DPI settings placement. It’s an ambidextrous example. It’s a simple enough with the Recon. so you’ll know at a glance what mouse, and CM Storm has fi x, if you use the driver interface - Dane Remendes 8
PLUS Creative Labs Sound • Incredible audio performance • Scout Mode Blaster Recon3D Omega DREAM MACHINE works • Excellent overall Supplier Corex Website www.creativelabs.com RRP R2,995 quality
reative Labs has clearly MINUS set out to dominate the • Look at the price Cwireless gaming headset market with the ridiculously BOTTOM LINE named Creative Labs Sound For those who Blaster Recon3D Omega – and want nothing but after spending some time with the best and are it, we’d say they’ve absolutely willing to pay for succeeded. It’s comfortable to use, it, this is a fantastic with a cushioned band running gaming headset. along the top of the adjustable headband and cushioned ear cups that provide enough tilt to ensure a comfortable fi t. It’s ruggedly constructed, but it’s actually itself. For PC, you simply plug that never seems to falter even at this end, the hub features a Scout quite light for a high-end wireless the hub into a USB port, install maximum volume, crisp mid-range Mode button – which seems to use headset. the drivers (which let you alter tones and powerful bass making witchcraft and alchemical wizardry It ships with a USB control hub a range of audio options) and this set brilliant for music or video. to alter the audio production and that also houses an excellent you’re good to go. There’s also Its primary purpose as a gaming highlight important in-game sound card. For Xbox 360 and the detachable microphone on a headset is where it truly excels, and sounds like footsteps, so you can PS3, you’ll fi nd an optical cable fl exible boom, which connects to most players understand that, in get the drop on your opponent. that plugs into your console the left ear cup. certain games, a good headset can And it actually works. It’s simply and the hub. Volume controls Audio quality is where this set be the diff erence between victory an excellent gaming
are built into the back of the left justifi es its high price tag. It boasts and defeat when knowing your headset. 10 ear cup, as well as on the hub excellent clarity, with a high-end opponent’s location is crucial. To - Dane Remendes
86 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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PATRIOT Intel Extreme Masters PLUS • Reliability 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit • Lifetime Warranty Manufacturer Patriot Memory Website www.patriotmemory.com RRP R699 • Looks Great
MINUS s you can obviously tell • Default XMP from the rated speed SPECS profi le sets CL12 and timings of this set, A Density • Average a performance set it is not. 8GB (4x 2GB) performance 2,133MHz was once impressive, Voltage but now, is considered by the 1.5V BOTTOM LINE community the minimum speed Timings Easily the most required out of a set of memory, 11-11-11-27 reliable set of as anything slower limits just XMP gaming memory about every platform available Yes 1.3 from Patriot. right now. You may wonder then why Patriot, a veteran of sorts in the DRAM industry, is producing machine testing, the memory is all instability in your system after hours would recommend, and that’s such an average set, under a new hand tested and sold with a limited on end of gaming, that it won’t be because it actually delivers lower name. Well, the answer is simply lifetime warranty. You’re essentially the memory. performance than the 2,133MHz because Patriot is the offi cial buying server-grade memory for Naturally as stated earlier, setting, so we opted instead for memory sponsor of Intel’s Extreme the desktop, without the pricing we aren’t particularly moved tighter timings at the default 1.5V. Masters league. Intel has a gaming to match. It’s easy to overlook this by 2,133MHz so we decided to The set managed 10-11-10-27 and league and Patriot is the offi cial as we did initially, but when visiting see how far we could push the we were fairly satisfi ed with these memory supplier for the league. several memory factories we realized memory without going past 1.5V, settings given the purpose of this This shouldn’t mean much for us, that the testing procedure and but we didn’t get very far at all. RAM. This not overclocking RAM, but it actually has some relevance binning process for such memory Even 2,200MHz proved to be too but if stability is paramount above in that it guarantees that each set is much higher than it is for regular, much. However 1.6V allowed all else for you, you should of memory is tested in the most high-speed and even overclocking the system to boot into windows give this set some serious stringent manner. memory. You’re promised with and it was fairly stable. However, consideration. In addition to the standard such a set that should there be any 2,200MHz isn’t a multiplier we - Neo Sibeko 8
Tt eSports MEKA G-Unit PLUS • Tactile feel is Mechanical Keyboard great • Primary gaming Distributor Corex Website www.ttesports.com RRP R1,137 keys light up • Well packaged e don’t have a lot of room for this review MINUS Wso we’ll get right into • No audio the meaty bits of this gaming pass-through keyboard from Tt eSports. capability As with all things, perfect it is not. For one, it’s shorter than BOTTOM LINE we’d prefer so it feels a little One of the better cramped when compared to our gaming keyboards current Dream Machine keyboard on the market – the GIGABYTE Osmium. right now. Build quality is good but once again not up to our standard benchmark because while it is minimize cable clutter. Having switches. They do need a little feel to the key-presses. heavy, the weight distribution said all that, this keyboard is more force because they are Overall, this is a well put seems to only prevent the still amongst the better ones the most resistive switches together package; it actually has keyboard from slipping rather available today, and if you can available in the range, but signifi cantly more going for it that than coming as a result of quality overlook some of the small you soon get used to the we are able to express here and materials. issues, it’s a fantastic keyboard force required and it actually the price is incredible. The Meka There’s an audio controller to use. It is feature-packed and becomes pretty hard to go G-Unit may be competing in an on the keyboard (but no audio macro keys are not something back to gaming on a membrane increasingly crowded market but pass-through cable) so you you’ll ever run out of regardless keyboard afterwards. Maybe it’s certainly amongst the top can continue to use your of the game you are playing. not the best for typing, but for runners and defi nitely
dedicated audio card with this The key press is precise gaming, there are few keyboards worth considering. 8 keyboard should you wish to courtesy of the MX-Black that can claim to have a better - Neo Sibeko
88 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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Corsair Neutron BENCHMARKS BASELINE: NEUTRON GTX DREAM MACHINE Series 240GB SSDs Average read
Supplier Frontosa Website www.frontosa.co.za RRP R2,499 457.3 Average write 473.6 o not be alarmed by the double where we were getting nowhere near SPECS SSD review in this issue. It is the advertised performance (especially 370.9 Controller Dnot a comparison but a parallel IOPS) with any drive. 496 review of the fi rst two SSDs from SSDs are pretty much the same LAMB LM8700 4K read (QD16) Corsair’s new line-up of drives. They aesthetically, so there’s nothing to NAND type are essentially identical drives, but the say about that, but inside is where the 24nm Toggle 284.9 NAND GTX off ers slightly better performance magic happens and there’s lots of that 4K write 294.3 at an ever slightly steeper price. within these drives. The measured and Form factor Before we get into the performance, tested performance of these drives 2.5” it’s worth detailing what makes the was surprisingly close. This isn’t in Interface 316.2 Neutron drives diff erent from Corsair’s the sequential transactions speeds SATA 6Gbps previous off erings. These are the fi rst per say, but the IOPS performance drives from the manufacturer that was analogous to the claims Corsair feature the LAMB LM87800 controller. makes on the packaging. Something With this series,or at least thus far, important and rarely ever seen when confi dent in saying the Neutron drive the typical and common SF-2000 dealing with storage. would be faster, and obviously the series controllers have been replaced We recorded read and write IOPS GTX even faster. Part of that speed is PLUS by what is looking like a very good performance numbers that were due to the Toshiba 2nm Toggle NAND • Very fast SSDs controller in all regards. above 85% of Corsair’s claims. By the used within the drives. • Fast with Of paramount importance is that same token we also noticed that there We are happy to say that the compressed and this controller doesn’t suff er the really isn’t much between the GTX and troubles that plagued the previous SF- uncompressed performance shortfall that SandForce- the regular drive. We initially thought based drives from Corsair are gone. All data powered drives are prone to. something had gone wrong with our we experienced was blisteringly quick • Five year Compressed and uncompressible data data, but upon repeated testing under performance. Not only did Corsair warranty work equally well and, more than that, diff erent conditions we concluded manage to produce two notable
the numbers we obtained with these that our data was indeed correct. The drives, but they are now off ering a five MINUS drives were nothing short of amazing. regular Neutron drive only suff ered year warranty on the drives, which is • Nothing As a side note, do not be alarmed against the GTX in sequential writes marvellous considering that only Intel with the vastly diff erent numbers in and maximum IO response time. To was willing to cover the life of their BOTTOM LINE the benchmark results. We moved to put into perspective how little this SSDs for that amount of time. Corsair’s Neutron a new methodology and a mixture of means we should make you aware There just really isn’t anything family of drives are suites here at NAG for testing SSDs. that the Neutron beat our previous to dislike about these drives. They blisteringly quick, The results are not comparable with fastest drive, the Plextor M3 PRO, in get our vote and the Neutron GTX but aff ordable. previous SSD reviews directly, but sequential write operations. While becomes the new NAG Dream
suffi ce to say the new suite better we can’t re-run the Plextor M3 PRO Machine SSD. 9 refl ects the drives claims than before, tests again with the new suite, we are - Neo Sibeko
90 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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Build quality on the Sonuz pair is as with the Sirus: impressive through the use of solid materials and attention to detail rivalling that of headphones costing ten times the price.
CM Storm Sonuz Gaming Headset Distributor Sonic Informed Website www.sonicinformed.co.za RRP R820
s a result of our previous in this regard while other competing actually. For those very long gaming experience with the Sirus products are gimmicky and feel fl imsy SPECS and listening sessions you may still Aheadset from CM Storm through the use of cheap materials. Frequency fi nd it necessary to own both sets, if almost a full calendar year ago, our A direct comparison with the Sirus response only because you can game for many expectations of the Sonuz headset unit was not possible because we 10 ~ 20,000 Hz more hours on these. were inherently high. The previous changed audio cards and as such, Impedance The Sonuz headphones feature headset blew us away in acoustic any variances in the sound quality 45 Ohm a robust and sensitive removable agility and precision. For a gaming could have easily been attributed Input sensitivity microphone only made better by headset the Sirus remains one of the to the diff erent hardware. However, 93dB the fact that you can install it on most underrated products around, but despite the diff erences, it was very Driver size either side of the headphones. The easily the best. obvious that the Sirus still had an 53mm performance of the microphone is The Sonuz for all intents and edge in performance. The diff erence as you’d expect: clear and relatively purposes is a lesser version of the between the two varies depending sensitive to the angle at which it’s Sirus. As such it comes in at a lower on the usage but it’s fairly easy placed. It eliminates background price point and without many of the to pick up on especially when noise suffi ciently that it may negate extras that were present on the Sirus, listening to the highly detailed audio the need to have noise cancelling mainly the surround sound support passages. The Sonuz drivers are PLUS features as found on some recent and the audio controller hub. This much bigger at 53mm, but they just • Very comfortable sound cards. in itself isn’t an issue at all because aren’t as responsive. The sound isn’t • Acoustics Back to the audio performance, the audio hub on the Sirus wasn’t necessarily duller, but it just isn’t as • Build quality and we have to say, given the price particularly useful because all the inspiring even though it’s far superior diff erences between this set and the magic was in the headset itself. So to many other gaming headsets. MINUS Sirus, we would still advocate for the this isn’t a loss at all as far as we’re To get the best from the Sonuz • Nothing Sirus as it really is a class above. If your concerned. however, you’ll still need a dedicated budget is very stringent then obviously Build quality on the Sonuz pair is as or at least 3rd-party audio solution BOTTOM LINE you’ll have to settle for the Sonuz. with the Sirus: impressive through the as the generic on-board off erings are One of the better Despite the slightly lower acoustic use of solid materials and attention still no match for these much like it gaming headsets performance, for the price you’re unlikely to detail rivalling that of headphones was with the Sirus. currently. to fi nd a better gaming solution. CM costing ten times the price. From Another favourable aspect of this Unmatched Storm has once again produced a winner here on in we’ll have to assume this set, often overlooked, is comfort. acoustics at this and this should prove a favourite price. is an inherent feature of CM Storm The Sonuz set is very comfortable, amongst gamers. 8 products as they really do stand out probably more so than the Sirus, - Neo Sibeko
92 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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BENCHMARKS BASELINE: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
3DMark Vantage CPU
32,874 Cinebench 11.5 46,760
9.45 AIDA 64 Copy 13.43
28,514MB/s 20,396MB/s 3DMark03
112,431 127,025
SPECS Chipset Intel Z77 Memory 4x 240-pin DDR3 CPU support Intel Core i7 SNB/ IB (LGA1155) Slots 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3x PCIe x1
GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 HARDWARE Supplier Rectron Website www.gigabyte.com RRP R5,500
fter having reviewed so many Z77 dedicated and competitive overclocker. world records set with this board, but motherboards here at NAG, what Technically this board is marvellous; PLUS suffi ce to say if you have a capable CPU Ahas become very clear to us, and there’s nothing to fault here – Ultra • Very good it will not be the board holding you probably you the reader, is that pretty Durable 5 technology, 32-phase PWM, overclocking back. With a new LN2 mode and a bclk/ much any Z77 motherboard on the moisture protection – you name it, it’s features CPU multiplier control system that’s market is relatively good. Not surprising there and it’s not important to go into • Great efficiency transparent to the operating system, given that it’s a relatively simple platform, that kind of detail here. Feature-wise it’s • 32-phase PWM GIGABYTE has perfected the UP7 like much like its predecessor the P67 and near identical to the UP5TH, apart from • 4-way SLI/ they never have any other board. Z68. Granted, things are somewhat the fact that it has 4-way SLI/Crossfi re Crossfire X Much like the other Z77 boards in this more detailed with Z77, it doesn’t X support. However it’s not just all PCIe current generation from GIGABYTE, change the fact that if a vendor sticks to lanes being fed to the switching chip, MINUS memory is tuned pretty aggressively Intel’s guidelines and builds from there, no, it’s done intelligently so that if you’re • Nothing so memory frequency records, while they’ll have a solid motherboard. only using a single graphics card there’s possible, will be a little harder to achieve So after so many iterations of no switching chip between the CPU and BOTTOM LINE compared to what the competition GIGABYTE Z77 motherboards in the graphics card, hence there are no The Z77X-UP7 is an off ers. With some tuning this can particular one would imagine there latency issues and you are at optimum overclocker’s dream obviously be remedied, but for those just isn’t anything more to be said performance. Engage several GPUs in motherboard. Easily who prefer to reach high speeds as-is about them. We loved the UD3H, then tandem however and the switching chip in competition rather than tweaking the board to allow subsequently the UP5TH we reviewed in comes into play. So you really get the for the best Z77 such, you may want to look somewhere the September issue and if you still have best of both worlds: 4-way graphics motherboard ever else. For the rest of the overclocking that issue you’ll recall that we said the but without the penalty suff ered by made. community or power users, this board only superior board in the line-up was traditional lane distribution designs is near perfect. You’ll be hard pressed the then unreleased UP7. when using a single graphics card. to fi nd a situation where this board Well, we fi nally got our hands on the To best describe this board, one was the limiting factor and not your UP7 and as we had suspected it’s better would have to say: think of the original particular components you have in all conceivable ways. The problem X58-OC motherboard, the fi rst black installed. This board is absolutely however is that not everyone will be and orange board from GIGABYTE. fantastic and is very easy to advocate able to appreciate that, in fact we fi rmly This may not be a direct successor as for. If you want the ultimate machine believe that for the most part, the vast that was the X79-UD7, but in effi ciency, for speed, give this some serious majority of people are better off with features and characteristics this is its consideration as its better than
the UP5TH as all the additions to this true successor. There’s no need to even we have stated. 9 board will be lost to everyone but the recount the numerous overclocking - Neo Sibeko
94 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ HARDWARE / Review
SPECS Core GK106 (28nm) Processors 768 Render outputs: 16 Memory 1,024MB GDDR5 5.4GHz (86.4GB/ sec) API DirectX 11.1 OpenGL 4.x BENCHMARKS OpenCL 1.x BASELINE: ASUS GEFORCE GTX680 PhysX Hard Reset DX9 1,080p 4xAA
42 Just Cause 2 DX10 1,080p 99.6
73.82 3DMark11 155.72 Extreme
1,534 3DMark 3,343 Vantage
19,316 Unigine Heaven Xtreme 39,722 HARDWARE 881.9,506 MSI GTX 650Ti Power Edition 1,871.607 Distributor Corex Website www.msi.com RRP R1,999
he fi rst thing we need to mention beginning if it performed anything like benchmark results. That’s a 200MHz before we get into detail about what we’ve seen from the GK107 parts. PLUS boost in clock speed and one Tthis graphics card is that NVIDIA Fortunately this graphics card • Much better than that should not only impress the has been rather silly in naming or reminded us more of the GTX 560 the GTX 650 overclockers amongst us, but the segmenting their graphics cards of late. Ti than anything else. Much like the • Boost clock gamers as well – particularly those The GTX 650 Ti is a great example to GTX 560 Ti as well, it overclocks very shenanigan free on a budget. Out the box the card this. One would think that the diff erence well, in fact we think even better. • Massive performs admirably but add the between the underwhelming GTX 650 We aren’t sure if this is due to MSI’s overclocking overclocking potential to it and it starts and the 650 Ti is clock speeds or at profi ciency at manufacturing graphics headroom to make more sense than the GTX most a few more shader cores. However cards, an inherent feature of the 660. As for the memory, it was even nothing could be further from the truth. silicon (as witnessed with the GTX 650 MINUS more impressive. From the shipping The GTX 650 Ti we have here features overclocking) or both, but whatever it • Pricing may be an 5.4GHz clock we managed a scorching exactly double the number of compute may be, we had some fairly interesting issue 6.5GHz without so much as touching cores that the GTX 650 has at a total of overclocking sessions with this graphics the memory voltage. So despite this 768 versus 384 on the GTX 650. How card. Not only did it run very cool at its BOTTOM LINE being a fairly low to mid-range card, this is only worth a “Ti” at the end is default settings peaking at an impressive The regular GTX MSI has not cut corners with the perplexing but we are glad such a part 48°C under load, but the overclocking 650 is rubbish, but component quality and it’s deserving exists, if only to redeem the 650 SKU only increased that to 57°C which is still the GTX 650 Ti of the “Power Edition” label. We didn’t from complete ridicule. To further make very impressive. So there’s something is good, the MSI bother much with further overclocking this naming scheme odd, the GTX 650 to be said about the large and unsightly Power Edition easily of the memory using the reference Ti is actually based on the GK106 silicon cooler. It actually does a fantastic the best thus far. cooler, but we are confi dent that one and not the GK107 as the 650 is. job and having to choose between a could use the 6.5GHz memory clock With a more capable core at its good looking cooler and this kind of for everyday gaming and not suff er a disposal, the GTX 650 Ti packs a total performance, we’d have to lean towards single rendering artifact or increased of 16 render outputs for a 15.9Gpixel/s the higher frame rates in our games and temperatures for it. fi ll-rate. Defi nitely not impressive by higher scores in the benchmarks. Our fi rst impression of the GTX 650 any means but it does allow gaming at How far exactly did we manage Ti via the MSI Power Edition has left us 1080p resolutions so there’s something to take the GTX 650 Ti? Very far – to thoroughly impressed, almost as if this to be said about specs not telling the a respectable 1.187GHz and since graphics card is better than it should be. If entire story. We truly didn’t expect much there is no Turbo to deal with, we you can fi nd it for a decent price,
from this and despite MSI’s overclocking were constantly at this speed with defi nitely buy this one. 9 eff orts, it was doomed from the no random variations in repeated - Neo Sibeko
96 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Review / HARDWARE /
Thermaltake Water 2.0 PRO Distributor Corex Website www.corex.co.za RRP TBA
hermaltake is no stranger to heat sinks, fans, and Tcooling solutions in general. With each successive generation, the lack of improvement to the SPECS PLUS standard coolers that Intel and Radiator size • Good AMD provide for their CPUs 120x120x38.3mm performance give new life to outfi ts such as Compatibility • Aff ordable Thermaltake. The Water 2.0, 2011 despite its lamentable name, is a 1366 MINUS closed loop cooling system that is 775 • Slightly complex miles ahead of what the reference 1156 setup cooler both AMD and Intel provide. 1155 The Water 2.0 PRO is a slightly AM2 BOTTOM LINE larger version of the basic AM3 An above average Performer model. This increase FM1 water cooler with in size obviously allows better FM2 a good price. radiation of heat and with two fans installed the performance diff erence between the Performer and the PRO should isn’t worth it. We would rather fl ow rate is higher as the rubber on an AMD system. You can’t use be notable. However, in isolation use the one fan and use the other housing could just have a bigger the standard back plate and you we have to say that the additional somewhere else in the system as it diameter. have to rely on the one included fan doesn’t do much to improve will do a lot more there than when Setup is simple enough in that in the package. This shouldn’t be the cooling effi ciency. used on the radiator. you’re unlikely to need a manual, an issue for most users because The diff erence is there with Build quality-wise, the Water however we do feel that there you’re unlikely going to want to two fans, but the problem is 2.0 is not too diff erent to what is one too many steps to follow upgrade from the Water 2.0 PRO, that amount of additional noise other vendors off er. The tubing when compared with the H100 at least for this generation generated by the cooler for a two seems slightly thicker but that for example. This is especially true of CPUs. 8 degree temperature variation doesn’t necessarily mean the when mounting the water cooling - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za November 2012 97 / GAME OVER /
GG The dating game for gamers
But seriously, dating isn’t a game and everybody should disabuse themselves of this vapid trope instantly, although the people behind the UK’s Date A Gamer website must’ve missed that very important memo. Among a bunch of others, apparently, but I’ll get back to that. In a recent Date A Gamer YouTube instructional video series1 including such enduring classics as “How to date a sexy gamer girl”, “What to do on a fi rst date with a single gamer”, and “How to impress a girl into bed after the fi rst date”, hired models with orange skin in frilly underwear posing as the otherwise elusive she-gamer attempt to persuade unsuspecting2 men that dating women is basically exactly the same thing as administrating an enterprise- level network. Kind of, anyway, because even the Wikipedia entry on mixed metaphors has nothing on this: “If he can feel my vibe and fi ll my bandwidth, it could turn into a physical relationship,” says hired-model-in- 1 Which was “Some men think subsequently yanked frilly-underwear Jessica, presumably concentrating really for being too gross hard to read off a large font prompter, because I can’t work even for YouTube out why else she seems so unconvinced about it. “At the women are high – an impressive, if end of the day, everyone has sexual needs. And sometimes I also impressively maintenance. They ignominious need someone to overload my buff er.” accomplishment Elsewhere, a 1:29-minute exposé of the role of women – and then later in video games off ers this profoundly thought-provoking obviously haven't reinstated because, conclusion: you know, it’s still YouTube. “Some men think women are high maintenance. They played Diablo III." obviously haven’t played Diablo III.” 2 Unsuspecting. And I mean thought-provoking because it doesn’t make Gullible. Really, really any sense whatsoever when you think about it, and it makes Pro tip: We’re regular human beings just like everybody else. desperate. It’s a semantics thing. even less sense if you think about it anymore than that. The big secret that Date A Gamer doesn’t want you There’s a whole lot wrong with Date A Gamer – perhaps to know without fi rst paying a substantial monthly 3 And if it doesn’t, the most off ensive being the presumption that gamers are subscription fee is that dating gamers is actually totally blame biology or exclusively male and so socially incompetent that they need simple – just be yourself, and what happens, happens3. It’s something. Attraction is way more to be taught how to interact with women like we’re a series also the same principle that applies to dating anybody, not complicated than a of plot objectives in a video game instead of, you know, just gamers. Who knew it would be that obvious? checklist of “PLAYS regular human beings just like everybody else. - Tarryn van der Byl GAMES [Y/N]?”.
Extra Life By Scott Johnson – ©2012 All rights reserved – Myextralife.com
98 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO The Lord of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
FEATURES rAge report back COD: Black Ops II multiplayer
one ring to rule them all
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 1 of 4 - Gandalf & Frodo MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO FEATURES The Lord rAge report back of the Rings COD: Black Ops II multiplayer It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
one ring to find them
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 2 of 4 - Aragorn & Pippin MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO LEGO The Lord of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
FEATURES rAge report back COD: Black Ops II multiplayer
one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
SPECIAL EDITION Cover 3 of 4 - Legolas & Gimli MIDDLE-EARTH’S LEADING GAMING, COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE VOL 15 ISSUE 8
in the land of mordor where the shadows lie.
SPECIAL EDITION PC / PLAYSTATION / XBOX / NINTENDO Cover 4 of 4 - Mordor
FEATURES LEGO rAge report back COD: Black Ops II The Lord multiplayer of the Rings It’s Middle-earth in LEGO – all of it.
Editor Michael “RedTide“ James [email protected]
Assistant editor Geoff “GeometriX“ Burrows Staff writer Contents Dane “Barkskin “ Remendes
Contributing editor Regulars Lauren “Guardi3n “ Das Neves 12 Ed’s Note 14 Inbox Features Technical writer Neo “ShockG“ Sibeko 18 Bytes 53 home_coded 32 RAGE 2012: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS International correspondent 72 Everything else When the country’s biggest and best gaming Miktar “Miktar” Dracon extravaganza comes to a close, it’s only natural to feel profound panic and despair at the thought of having Contributors to wait a whole year for the next one. But instead Rodain “Nandrew” Joubert Opinion of getting bogged down in the wait ahead, we’re Walt “Ramjet” Pretorius 18 I, Gamer playing optimist, thinking of the good times rAge 2012 Miklós “Mikit0707 “ Szecsei 20 The Game Stalker contained. Pippa “UnexpectedGirl” Tshabalala 22 The Indie Investigator Tarryn “Azimuth “ Van Der Byl 24 Miktar’s Meanderings Adam “Madman” Liebman 77 Hardwired 38 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II We stare long and hard into the unblinking eyes Art director 98 Game Over of Black Ops II’s revitalised multiplayer suite, and Chris “SAVAGE“ Savides discover how Treyarch plans to make this the most Photography attractive COD multiplayer off ering yet. Chris “SAVAGE“ Savides Preview Dreamstime.com 50 Company of Heroes 2 44 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS Fotolia.com A LEGO The Lord of the Rings feature is never late, Sales executives dear reader. Nor is it early. It arrives precisely when it Cheryl “Cleona“ Harris / [email protected] Reviews means to. Does that quote work? +27 72 322 9875 52 Reviews: Introduction 80 MSI MOA 2012 Martin Green 53 Mini review: Kingdom Taipei, Taiwan played host to MSI’s Master Overclocking 083 445 0371 Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Arena this yearyear,, and we travelled all the way there to [email protected] Distance cover everyevery aspect of the prestiprestigiousgious event. 54 XCOM: Enemy Unknownnown Marketing and promotions manager 58 Torchlight II Jacqui “Jax” Jacobs 60 F1 2012 [email protected] 62 PES 2013 +27 82 778 8439 64 FIFA 2013 66 Tekken Tag Tournamentment 2 Offi ce assistant 68 Dead or Alive 5 Paul Ndebele 69 The Sims 3: Supernaturalatural Contact details 70 Rocksmith P .O. Box 237, Olivedale, 2158, South Africa 71 Port Royale 3: Pirateses & Tel +27 11 704 2679 Merchants Fax +27 11 704 4120
Subscription department [email protected] Hardware
Internet 74 Tech News www.nag.co.za 76 Dream Machine www.zinio.com/nag 78 Lazy Gamer’s Guide:: Tt eeSportsSports www.facebook.com/NAGMagazine Level 10M Gaming MMouseouse www.twitter.com/nagcoza 84 AMD A10 5800K APUU Printing 86 CM Storm Recon / CCreativereative Impress Web Printers Labs Sound Blaster RecoRecon3Dn3D 031 263 2755 Omega 88 PATRIOT Intel Extrememe MMastersasters Distribution 2133MHz Dual Channelnnel Kit On the Dot Tt eSports MEKA G-UnitUnit Stuart Dickerson / 011 401 5932 Mechanical Keyboard90rd90 ASUS GTX660 Ti-DC2T-2GD5C2T-2GD5
Copyright 2012 NAG 90 Corsair Neutron Serieses All rights reserved. No article or picture in this magazine may 240GB SSDs be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the express written consent of the publisher. Opinions 92 CM Storm Sonuz Gamingaming Head expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of set the publisher or the editors. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. 94 GIGABYTE Z77X-UP77 Don’t Pirate NAG! 96 MSI GTX 650Ti Powerer EditioEditionn
this magazine when you’re fi nished with it. 97 Thermaltake Water 22.0.0 PRPROO
10 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ EDITOR’S NOTE / rAge 2012
There’s a press release on the offi cial site: www.rageexpo. co.za, and an article in this issue to tell you everything you need to know about what happened… offi cially. I’m going to tell you what really happened. Everything in the press release and article is all true; it was a great show and we had more people than ever before but it also taught us a few lessons (as it always does). First up it was too busy on Saturday. It got so bad at one point that the Dome safety and security people had to stop people from coming in until people let. This crisis lasted about 45 minutes and a few people got grumpy and said organisation was bad. I disagree: bad organisation would have been people getting hurt because we didn’t have good organisation. The lines to get in were also a bit long and of course we had a heat wave. Standing in the sun isn’t fun. The ATM machines were also too busy and at one point weren’t working due to some outside link problem that was resolved eventually. The credit card machines that used wireless were a bit of a joke because over the rAge weekend wireless at the Dome doesn’t exist – there are just too many signals fl ying around for anything to work. The stage area was too crowded. As for the LAN, some internet link to Europe went down on Friday (we think a great white ate the cable), resulting in zero connectivity on Friday; the network wasn’t 100% perfect WWW.PROPHECY.CO.ZA thanks to the truck strike so some of our expensive kit was I ordered some stuff from these guys the other week and was stranded in customs, and apparently some games didn’t like running late to collect it (I was going to be there at about 20 the confi guration. It was our tenth year – you think things minutes after their closing time). “No problem,” I was told. would run smoothly. LOL… End of the day it all worked out “We’ll wait for you.” They didn’t know who I was either. So and I’d say around 99% of the people are happy people. Sorry thanks guys, you’ve earned your free plug here. to the 1%; I wish everything ran perfectly but I guess because it’s year 10 we were due for a bit of a wakeup call – more of a COMPETITION WINNERS friendly reminder not to be complacent and to respect our Sorry for this boring stuff , I don’t know why all these wieners position at the top. Here are some of the things we’re doing are being put on this page. I feel like I’m not in charge of for 2013 to improve on this year: We’re going to have the NAG this magazine sometimes. Next month this goes in the news LAN 100% sorted out and confi rmed to work by 1 June 2013 or section or not at all. Anyway – well done all you people – your we’re not going to have the LAN at rAge. We’re talking to the skill at sending an SMS has been rewarded. Borderlands various ISPs about a new Internet system that will work just 2 competition winners: main winner – Bryan Banfi eld, like it does if you were connecting from home (not as quick second place winners – Duncan Smith; Johan Dreyer; JP but more or less). We’re going to add more people in the front Steyn and the rest – Nathan Stewart; Christopher Doran; to deal with the lines of people quickly but please consider Richard Steyn; Jason Rip; Ruben Janse Van Ransburg; JL coming on Sunday or Friday (the less busy days). We’re adding Hendrikse. The guy with some actual skill is Keith Milton of more ATM machines (maybe those portable ones outside). Roodepoort who won the arcade machine at the NAG stand We’re going to insist that all retailers use hard lines for their at rAge by playing Ghosts and Goblins with a score of 154,600 credit card machines. We’re going to increase the size of (he clocked it twice). Oh, just been sent more: September the aisles (by 2 meters on the main ones and 1 meter on the Evetech competition – Louis Ainslie; Johan Mackay; Lumart secondary). We’re going to move the stage around and add Wiechers; Brendon Morris; Stefan Engelbrecht. more seats (1-2 more bleachers) and more standing room. All Before I go, we’ve brought back a favourite section – this has already been decided and that’s before we’ve even Everything Else – this is all that stuff you love and surround had out fi rst meeting for rAge 2013. yourself with. Yoda backpacks, fi gurines, toys, board games It was an awesome show and the best we’ve ever done. and so on. This is just here to let you all know that we’re even more What a ride committed to making it better each year. Thanks for - RedTide coming and see you in 2013. Editor
12 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ INBOX /
*Disclaimer: Most of the letters sent to this fi ne publication are printed more or less verbatim (that means “we don’t edit or fi x them” for you slow kids at the back), so ignore any spelling or grammatical INBOX errors. It’s not us… it’s you. LETTER OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 2012
From: Ivan Subject: Call of Disrespect The servers on COD MW3 seem infested does not fall within the pre-conceived with veterans trying to discourage the norm of ideal weaponry. Yes COD is not entertainment that the game provides. the SA gaming community as a whole LETTER OF THE MONTH Recently, while playing online, I but it is a sizable chunk of it. Players personally received a lot of hate mail, who condemn new players are bad and The ‘Letter of the Month’ prize is sponsored by the good folks at after fi nishing a game with a K/D of 3/1, should feel bad. The next time you are Megarom. The winner receives two for using the “wrong” gun and being mowed down by a hail of bullets spewed games for coming up with the most “[nasty words, Ed]”. No “well done” or by a “rapid fi re n00b” for the sake of inspired bit of wisdom of cleverness. “I couldn’t do that asleep dosed up on the community keep your opinion to Note: You can’t change the games or the heroin” was mentioned, only mindless yourself and enjoy the game like it was platform they come on. rage for using such a n00b gun. The meant to be played. weapon in question was the PP90M1 HARD TECHNICAL STUFF and last weekend it was still accepted You are so right. Here’s an offi cial Land mail: P.O. Box 237, Olivedale, 2158 as a “right” weapon to use. For a message from NAG magazine: Use Better mail: [email protected] community parading “n00b acceptance” whatever weapon, tactic, method, Important: Include your details when mailing us or you’ll never get your prize we as a community are not very mode, style and/or technique you please if you win… tolerating to anything other than the when playing games. The developers right set of weapons, perks, killstreaks put all the guns in the game for you to and obviously lag. If you cannot cross- use and they patch often to balance map 360 no-scope through a wall with them, so don’t let some pompous know adventures) also joined the party. the MSR you have no business playing it all hothead (who probably heard his Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas comes Search and Destroy. New players are opinion from some other twit) tell you complete with a bunch of police offi cers not welcomed into the game with open how to play, what to use, when to shoot who say suggestive things like: “Let’s arms but rather a rule-book full of or anything of the sort. I have found that wrestle to submission!” and “Don’t drop do’s and do not’s. If you do not want the best way to play is to turn off all chat the soap, honey!” You can also fi nd gay to be ripped to shreds by a guy with a windows, voice communications and pride fl ags on the streets, along with a shotgun in a maze, do not run into the let the only interaction with these “pro” clearly homosexual store clerk who fl irts maze with your sniper then complain players be your rapidly fi red bullets, unabashedly with the male protagonist. when you inevitably die. It has gotten RPG shots into crowded rooms and The fourth title in this series even features to a point where I cannot, in good faith, spammed grenades. This is your new a fl amboyant night-club entrepreneur try to persuade friends to play the motto, “it’s none of my business what named Tony Prince, or “Gay Tony”. multiplayer on the premise of fun. We you think of my playing style”. The only Everywhere you look in many cannot grow as a community if we keep thing you shouldn’t do is cheat or camp popular titles, you see hints and outright on neglecting and insulting anyone that because that’s lame. Ed. statements concerning homosexual relationships between characters. It has even come to the point where game companies (BioWare being the main, proud From: Sharna culprit) are allowing gamers to choose Subject: Gayness in gaming with any gender of any species. same-sex partners for their own characters. Has anyone noticed the sudden boost of Of course, this isn’t the only big title. I, personally see this as a growth as homosexuality in games these days? I have Many games, RPGs in the forefront, are well as a sign of maturity for the entire sat in front of my big screen and played opening up to the idea of appealing to the industry. Creating a new game is a work more headlines than is likely healthy, gay gaming community. Fable II and III of art, and should not be restricted in any and I have noticed this trend. Mass Eff ect also gave me the option of choosing my fashion. We’d all become extremely bored is a sparkling example. At fi rst LGBT character’s sexuality (which of course I otherwise, by lily white, stiff -faced, clean- (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender took advantage of by marrying everyone worded and violence-free future selections. groups) seemed to ok the potential for in sight, before regretting the crippling I’m curious as to what others think of this semi-lesbian scenes between a female spouse allowance fees). I also saw hints of evolution, and whether they think it will Shepard and the Asari, Liara in the fi rst a homosexual relationship in BioShock, have any repercussions for gaming? game. However, by game three EA seemed between Sander Cohen and the game’s to have been pressured into furthering antagonist, Andrew Ryan, as I picked up I think it’s great that game developers their homosexual scope to boy-on-boy audio tapes [You sure about that? We’re are embracing all things when making action, as well as “normal lesbianism”: on the fence on that one, Ed]. their games. Do you have a well thought a.k.a. Not just a woman coupling with Fallout 3 (between two female out intelligent opinion on this topic? Let an all-female alien race able to reproduce ghouls you meet on the course of your us know here: [email protected]. For
14 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Letters
ON THE FORUMS the rest let us know here: applications@ Go right ahead and have a little bitch and moan. We’ll pretend to care, just like school4morons.com. Ed. everyone else: www.nag.co.za/forums
From: Elias Q: What was your favourite thing/part/event/game/person/fruit-fl avoured Subject: Razer snack/etc. at rAge this year? I get your magazine every month and if there are alternate covers I buy all of them. Once I've fi nished reading them I nail them up on my wall. I love the “Nothing, CUZ I WASN’T THERE!!!!!! ” magazine and I love the way you write {G}Zulu and the small attempts at humour but there's one thing I've been wondering about: Why haven't you written a review on the Razer Blade or any Razer “Nothing, CAUSE it’s too far away so products? I have decided to buy the new Razer Blade but I'm still not 100% sure I NEVER GET TO GO! (Q___Q) ” about my choice and if you wanted to wright a review I'm sure you can get James Donaldson your hands on one. And I don't think I've seen any reviews of Razer products I would also love to see ones on the Tiamat 7.1 and the Razer Mamba I'm not asking you to wright a review on “Free stuff ! The Cosplay was those but I've just been wondering why epic as well a lot better” you never write on Razer products. Z1OC What do you mean by small attempts at humour exactly? On a creepier note: are you really nailing whole copies of NAG “Having a dream that it might actually on your wall – this makes me a little come to Cape Town one day... ” scared. Anyway, you asked for a review of the Razer Blade, so here goes: Early DXeXodus man had no way of removing facial hair which is why we often see Neanderthals depicted with unruly wild beards. Later, “I dunno if anyone saw the sledding game with the Wii balance as we became more civilised, we started board. I had real tears (of laughter) while watching people cutting facial hair with sharpened rocks, tools and eventually things like compete at this. Let’s just say when you launch, it doesn’t look knives and so on, culminating in the very “graceful”. I can’t fi nd any videos of it online, but it really is straight razer. Early man did sometimes one of the funniest things I’ve seen in my life. ” end up with no facial hair but this was largely thanks to failed experiments massacre_101 with lava and/or fi re. Today, advanced engineering scientifi cally technologies can fi t up to fi ve razer blades on a single 4. Do you ever have interns working for freelancers). ergonomic handheld device. As you can you? 2. Some earn a salary and some are paid see the modern razer blade is so much 5. Do the staff at NAG fi nd that they have per article. I’m notoriously bad at better than all those other things in the to hold down other writing jobs for paying freelancers. They don’t mind past. I give it 92%. Ed. other companies/publishers? usually because when guilt fi nally 6. Why did you personally get into forces me to pay them they get nice From: Richard gaming journalism and are you happy large lump sums once or twice a year. Subject: NAG employment queries you decided to? 3. You have to be the most sexy person Tarryn’s opinion column in the August 7. Do you feel your passion for gaming in the room. And… be multitalented, issue of NAG caused me to re-evaluate as a hobby has deteriorated as a result must write good and know your my stance on writing and whether it working within the gaming industry? games and gaming industry and would be something I'd want to pursue as 8. Lastly do you still agree with Tarryn's hardware and everything IT related a career path. I would highly appreciate sentiments that if you're passionate and be awesome. it if you'd be able to answer some of my about both writing and gaming that 4. No. They are a bore and usually sit questions if not all or at least direct me this is a good path to actively chase? around staring at us with idiot grins. to someone who could. I'll present my Also, any work they do is such a questions in a numbered format below First up don’t listen to Tarryn, she screw-up that it takes us longer to fi x for ease of reading. operates outside of what people consider than doing it from scratch ourselves. normal. We can’t get rid of her because They smell too. 1. How large is the staff compliment at out of all the people writing for NAG she’s 5. No. They wear cowboy hats and hang NAG? the most likely to go postal at the drop of out near cinema complexes. 2. Do the writers at NAG earn a salary or a hat. Anyhow, back to your questions. 6. I love games and gaming hardware. are they paid per article? This job is just the best way to get 3. What are the required qualifi cations for 1. About 21 people including all both of those things for free. a NAG journalist/editor? freelancers and minions (mostly 7. No. My love for games runs deep.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 15 / INBOX /
8. If you like swimming and dolphins Adrian Martinescu, "I've been using Blender for about a year and a half now and should you become a dolphin wanted to make something for the NAG Magazine because you guys are awesome. trainer… Ed. This was my attempt."
This is the best From: David bit of fan created Subject: Thank you artwork we received I've been gaming since I could walk. I spent at NAG this month. the better half of my childhood taking on If you insert, use the Empire in X-Wing and thwarting the or create a piece plans of Le Chuck in Monkey Island. But of gaming artwork now I've found myself in the position where incorporating the I have to work from 9am to midnight every NAG logo you might day, so my game time is zero. But I'm not also end up here for your three lines of writing this for pity. In fact I'm writing this fame. Just don’t go to say thank you! I want to thank NAG and stick the NAG for keeping me up to date with the latest logo on a picture and games and technology and I want to thank send it in because all the gamers out there on the web, on that is dumb and forums, Facebook or Twitter. Through you dumb people don’t my gaming spirit still burns and will never win things. die. So thank you!
It’s a pleasure. Also, get a new job – From: Josh you’re getting screwed with hours like Subject: Is life a game? knowing if I touched a controller that. ;) Ed. Death is something we all have in THE it would end up in someone’s eye common. We all come into this world the SHORTS socket. I was cursed to love games From: Justin same and go out the same, it’s what we but never play them. I died unhappy. Subject: A Cry from Far do in between which separates us. Death Extracts of This is why I decided to come back My hands pull themselves away from the is very much the driving force behind n00b from again but as a gaming magazine controller and I return Far Cry 2 to its many of our choices, we will make lists of NAG letters editor. I still have a few of those past case, carefully I shut the Play Station off activities we want to do before our lives life problems but the great team here and make sure my uniform is secured. end and scream out terms like "YOLO [you at NAG always manages to make me “While on the With poise I stride from the room. only live once, Ed]," to motivate our choices. topic, it would be look good. Ed. Shuffl ing keys lock up the safe house and When you think about it doesn't a awesome if you I cautiously leave the area, making sure games lifetime go the same way? We will guys did a second that there is no one lurking in the nearby receive a long awaited game and start “Inbox” section of bushes or behind a wall. playing it with huge enthusiasm just as the weirdest and Pleased that I lack any pursuers I head a child will fi nd enjoyment in anything. most unintelligible out onto the road, my eyes dart back and As our time with the game grows we too letters you guys ON TWITTER forth. No cars, nothing that can kill me will grow accustomed to the game's (life's) have received.” - Matthew with one simple shot. All my buddies are ways and will adapt to any situation that Look a birdie @nagcoza already at the location. They may need the game (life) can throw at us and will do “Bring on them me and so I rush across the road. what is necessary to level(grow) up. heads!” Chantelle Alexander No car has run me down and no buggy We will eventually reach a stage where - Julian This weekend it isn’t has tried to get at me. With no protection we hit the level cap (grow old) and need to #GangnamStyle, it’s but a pocket kni- I mean machete of look for things to do before we eventually “Mario taught me #GamingStyle B) :D #rAge2012 course, I head towards the location. There stop playing the game (pass away). Maybe that everyone can be a hero, even a Han are civilians and I’m not used to that, so I we need to explore that cave once more One can win an arcade machine? hurry. There are cars ahead and so I hide or kill that last troll, but we will never plumber.” - Zelda You lie! Don’t be such a tease!!! behind a tree. They soon disappear. feel satisfi ed, never feel like we have done With that obstacle gone, I head across everything. Nonetheless our time with “I have two NAG Magazine Online the road. The front entrance looms but the game (life) will come to an end and aspirations in life; ADDICTED to #GuildWars2 please I go around instead, they won’t catch we will be left wondering what would of to miraculously send help me that way. My buddies are also hiding been the outcome had we took another fi nd a cure for around that side and so I think that it path in the game (life). herpes, and to play Miktar @nagcoza Can’t, too busy playing would be best that way. I guess my point is that games share Assassins Creed 3” GW2. No guards, I rush to my buddies, they more similarities with life than many - Kerry greet me kindly enough. believe, maybe not in the story or “I was a n00b Alwyn Venter ‘Do anything last night?’ My buddy graphics but in the basic principles that before that word Gaming FTW! Well done on asked. dictate them. Whether you can replay life even existed.” organising another spectacular ‘Well I played some Far Cry.’ is another story. - Quinton event! See you next year. ‘Cool.’ I scratch my head, wondering if a sniper I’m actually replaying my life right Andrew Jackson had me in his sights... then wondered now. In the previous life I was born @nagcoza “What is this” Sparta, obviously. what Far Cry 3 would do to me (sharks are with a coordination defi ciency, I already on my beaches, you know). was also illiterate and a little idiotic and my thumbs bent the wrong You know what is weird? This is the third way. My name was Dudley. Everyone letter this month about Far Cry 2. What around me played games, spoke is going on here? Ed. about games and even made games while all I did was stare at the screen
16 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
I, Gamer Smashheadkeyboard Cliff y B leaves It was bound to happen sooner or later, but another game has come along and usurped Skyrim’s place as my current gaming obsession. The best part about it is that the arrival of this attention-glutton was unexpected. Borderlands 2 has joy- Epic Games puked its cel-shaded glory directly into my brain. Dovahkiin is out and Claptrap is in, mainly because he kept calling me his “minion” throughout the fi rst section of the game, and that on its own won me over completely. But the heady mix of gratuitous looting, quirky characters and gun binging didn’t come without a fair amount of eff ort. The herculean task began with the surprise local delay in the release of Borderlands 2. I wasn’t the only one who felt crestfallen when it was revealed that the game was going to be a week late, but instead of moping I decided to cancel my pre-order and go the digital download route. Believe it or not, Borderlands 2 was the fi rst “triple-A” title that I’ve bought digitally. I’ve bought dozens of Xbox LIVE Arcade games, PSN games and smaller indie games, but this was most defi nitely my fi rst stab at shunning the excitement of getting a new boxed game, for something a little less physical. “Perhaps it was the series of unfortunate ensuing events that led me to this conclusion, but forsaking physical for digital is a load of bollocks” his year has had its fair hires the best of the best, and it has Perhaps it was the series of unfortunate ensuing events that led share of surprise departures been a joy working with each and me to this conclusion, but forsaking physical for digital is a load of T by infl uential developers. every one of you on a daily basis, bollocks. What should have, by today’s standards, been a seamless Following on from Peter Molyneux’s whether you were hired weeks exercise turned into the complete opposite. Like expecting to spend switch to the indie scene earlier this ago or decades ago. I have been the day at Disney World but ending up getting repeatedly punched year and the recent announcement fortunate enough to collaborate in the penis by a mob of angry midgets. With knuckledusters. of the departure of BioWare’s famed with a variety of disciplines, from I pre-purchased the game the night before it released so I pair of doctors, Cliff “Look at all code to art to marketing and could begin pre-loading it. South Africa’s Internet off erings have mah Gears of War!” Bleszinski has PR – it’s been one big, rewarding most defi nitely improved, and our 4MB line was sucking the left Epic Games. learning experience. I’m confi dent game down at great speeds. While our country may be getting The split is a huge surprise, that each project that is being built, its ass into gear when it comes to online access, it’s got its thumb considering that Cliff has pretty whether at Epic, Chair, PCF, or rammed so far up its butt when it comes to something else: much been the face of Epic for Impossible will be top notch and electricity. Turns out that slow Internet speeds aren’t the only the last few years, in addition to will please gamers and critics alike.” deterrent for would-be digital purchasers in SA – electricity is too being an indomitable creative Cliff and Epic wouldn’t reveal because about 20 minutes into my download, the power went force at the studio. He’s credited what the prolifi c developer’s next out and stayed out for 11 hours. in the design of everything from step will be, but Epic’s technical So I did what any other determined gamer would have: I Gears of War and Unreal, to Jazz director Tim Sweeney said this: installed Steam on my laptop and restarted the download Jackrabbit, and he’s been with “In 20 wonderful years with at work the next day. Unfortunately, because the company’s Epic for 20 years. In a letter to Epic, Cliff Bleszinski has grown phone lines were stolen nearly two years ago and were never colleagues, Bleszinski explained into a true design luminary, and replaced by Telkom, my workplace runs off a ludicrously his departure, and Epic posted a his contributions to the 'Unreal' overpriced wireless ISP – a wireless ISP that throttles downloads portion of that letter online: and 'Gears' series have helped from services like Steam. It took me 14 hours to download “I’ve been doing this since I was shape the game industry into Borderlands 2 and after that I still had to back up the fi les, a teenager, and outside of my what it is today. Cliff leaves Epic transfer them to my gaming PC at home and reinstall the game. sabbatical last year, I have been with our gratitude for his many At that stage, however, Steam’s servers were taking a serious going non-stop,” wrote Cliff . “I contributions, and our wishes for beating because, obviously, Borderlands 2 was now out. It took literally grew up in this business, continued success in the next me another hour to log in, bringing my total time (from digital as Mike [Capps] likes to say. And chapter of his life!” purchase to actually playing the game) up to around 15 hours now that I’m grown up, it’s time Having had such a remarkable, excluding the 11 hour electricity outage. for a much needed break.” intensely busy career, we Fortunately Borderlands 2 was entirely worth the test in “I will miss the projects, the don’t blame Cliff y for calling a patience, but I’d have been disappointed if I’d decided to pop my playtests, the debates, and most (hopefully temporary) time-out. digital shopping cherry with a game I ended up loathing. Worth importantly, the people. Epic only We wish him all the best. it or not, the eff ort has reiterated something: I’m nowhere near ready to give up physical for digital. - Miklós Szecsei
18 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Mass Eff ect series gets box set, awful DLC planning
A NEW CONTENDER ENTERS THE RING
ll three Mass Eff ect games are getting crammed At this year’s Tokyo into one gorgeous package known as the Mass Game Show, SEGA AEff ect Trilogy. The best part about the whole showed off their thing, however, is that it’s coming to PC, Xbox 360 and MMORPG Phantasy PlayStation 3 making this the fi rst time ever that PS3 Star Online 2 on Sony’s diminutive gamers will get to play through Mass Eff ect 1. but powerful PS The box set is due out on 6 November and will cost Vita, which will soon $59.99, or the same as any new console release so expect be the new home for it to be about R600 at retail in South Africa. the game alongside Now for the bad news. its PC and mobile There is a ton of Mass Eff ect DLC that’s been spread over counterparts. the three games. All in all, there’s probably close on 15-20 Don’t be fooled by hours of additional missions and gameplay to be found. the move to these For reasons that defy all logic, BioWare and Electronic tiny platforms; PSO2 looks just Arts have decided to make a complete hash of what DLC as fully-formed as is included in the Mass Eff ect Trilogy. DLC inclusion is any action-focused dependent on which platform you buy the box set for. MMORPG, with the The PC version gets the best DLC inclusion but even freedom to explore, that is woefully stingy. PC players will get “Bring Down the fi ght, customise and Sky” and “Pinnacle Station” DLC from Mass Eff ect 1. They’ll socialise. also get the Cerberus Network Pass (with access to Zaeed While news as a squad mate and his coupled loyalty missions for Mass of Phantasy Star Eff ect 2) and the Mass Eff ect 3 multiplayer pass. Online 2 has been fl oating around Those who choose to pick up the Trilogy box set Japan for some on Xbox 360 won’t get any Mass Eff ect 1 DLC but will time, it’s now been get the Cerberus Network Pass and the Mass Eff ect 3 confi rmed that the multiplayer pass. game will indeed PlayStation 3 players will get… who knows? At time of make its way to writing, BioWare and Electronic Arts have yet to confi rm Europe, which what DLC will be included in the PlayStation 3 version. means us locals That being said, for those of you who have recently might actually have picked up copies of Mass Eff ect 2 and Mass Eff ect 3 for a chance to get stuck in, although PlayStation 3, the good news is that you’ll be able to buy it’s likely that we’ll a digital copy of Mass Eff ect 1 on its own. Mass Eff ect have to go the 1 will be available on 6 November 2012 and will cost digital distribution $14.99 via the PlayStation Store. route. Regardless of Want to know what DLC is missing? Aside from the how it pans out in two DLC packs for Mass Eff ect 1 missing from the Xbox our market, you can 360 and PS3 versions, the following will be absent across expect availability all platforms: “Lair of the Shadow Broker”, “Arrival”, of the title in its F2P “Kasumi – Stolen Memory” and “Overlord” for Mass form (there’s talk of an optional retail Eff ect 2. “From Ashes”, all of the multiplayer DLC packs, bundle, presumably “Leviathan” and the newly announced “Omega” will be for the Vita release) missing from Mass Eff ect 3. on PC during Q1/ All in all we estimate that that’s about fi fteen hours of Q2 next year and DLC that won’t be included in the Mass Eff ect Trilogy box hopefully the set – the same box set that has been dubbed “the defi nitive remaining platforms Mass Eff ect experience”. soon after.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 19 / BYTES /
The Game Stalker Sales fi gures! Get yer Give me a reason, bro sales fi gures right here! Unsurprisingly I always seem to write a column about rAge around this time of year. It makes sense I think, eople who like to justify confi dent that shipping 4.5 million considering this is probably the biggest event on the their purchases of games by copies to store shelves worldwide South African gaming calendar, and gamers come from Pwaving sales numbers at other for the game’s launch was not a all over the country to attend. And of course by the time peoples’ faces and yelling, “See, I’m gamble for which they’re destined this goes to print, rAge will be over and starting to fade in totally in there with X number of to be burnt. They’ve revealed that as our memories as we prepare ourselves for the end of year similarly cool, hip people who’ve of June 2012, the Resi franchise has gaming rush. bought these exact games on sold over 50 million units worldwide, Every year for me rA ge is a diff erent experience. I’ve been which I’ve splurged all my money!” and they believe that the series is attending almost as long as it’s been running, and from what can look forward to some exciting “just as popular today as it was 15 I’ve been told (I’m getting old, I don’t remember!) that’s a validation in this news post. years ago when the fi rst title made decade this year. Ten years of bringing gaming direct to the First up, the ever-ludicrous fi gures its debut.” Time will tell how this public in one smorgasbord – that’s pretty impressive. of the FIFA series with FIFA 13. The works out for them. My experience of rAge has changed fundamentally over game managed to move over 4.5 Finally, there’s Mists of Pandaria, the years. I went from visitor, to journalist, to personality, to million units within its fi rst fi ve days of the panda-laden expansion exhibitor – and this year I’m occupying the strange territory being on store shelves. This includes to Blizzard’s eternal MMORPG of independent journo crossed with exhibitor. sales across all platforms. One million behemoth World of Warcraft. In I look forward to it every year, regardless of the stress of those units were sold in the UK its fi rst week, it moved 2.7 million that often accompanies attending. For many who are either alone, and within the fi rst 48 hours units – not counting sales in China. LANning or simply visiting it’s an intense experience but of the game having gone on sale, it Blizzard has reported that the you can actually go home at any time, which means it’s not became responsible for holding the expansion has caused the game’s generally physically exhausting. lofty title of being the game with the global player base to surge beyond For those who are there, working every day however, highest concurrent online user count the ten-million subscriber mark the less glamorous side of the show often emerges as we of all EA’s titles to date. 800,000 FIFA once again. “With Mists of Pandaria, approach it with both a sense of anticipation and excitement, 13 players were mixing it up online on we set out to expand on the sense coupled with anxiety and dread. The sore feet from hours September 30th. of fun and discovery that's always of standing. The exhaustion at the end of the day. The fact Next we have Resident Evil 6: been at the heart of World of that you still need to go to work the following week (a day a game which we didn’t like very Warcraft – in addition to adding a off ? What is that?) and you don’t really feel rested. The sore much, giving it a score of 58 in last huge variety of new content and face from constantly smiling seems like a minor complaint in month’s issue. However, we don’t features to the game,” said Mike amongst all that but you feel it at the end of the weekend. strictly have sales fi gures as of yet: Morhaime, Blizzard CEO. “It's been Some of us spend hours standing around merely onlonlyy tthehe number of units CaCapcompcom gragratifyingtifying toto see the results of all of supervising our products and staving off the boredom of has shipped onto store shelves. It’s tthehe worworkk we put iintonto tthishis expansexpansionion being confi ned to a single space for three days. Some of us a game that’s polarised both critcriticsics and to hear all of the ppositiveositive wear our voices hoarse as we talk constantly for three days and the public, but Capcom seems feedback from playersplayers so far.”far.” running, promoting our products, emceeing tournaments, giving presentations and in between it all talking to friends who share our passion for all things gaming related. And yet we return year after year, complaints and all. Why is this? Is it because it’s a great marketing opportunity for all involved? 25,000 people through the doors is nothing to be sneezed at. Is it for the opportunity to network with potential business contacts? With around 80 exhibitors, again this is indeed a brilliant opportunity. rAge is indeed an important opportunity to take advantage of all the marketing and networking opportunities that present themselves over the three days, however the real reason people continue to attend rAge, year after year after year is for the love of video games. Say what you like, that’s the only real reason. Exhibitors, gamers, journalists, LANners, nerds, geeks – and I proudly count myself in the latter categories as well – the love of video games is what draws us together as a community. The opportunity to play beta code before release date. To meet developers. To see the latest gaming and geeky merchandise on off er. Love it or hate it, the weird and wonderful cosplay. To stay on top of the latest trends in gaming, in accessories, in comic book culture. This is the reason we attend the really Awesome gaming expo. - Pippa Tshabalala
20 November 2012 www.nag.co.za WILL Now is your DEVELOP GAMES FOR chance, Obsidian FOOD Throwing your money at game developers with a pipe dream is all well and good, but what if you could actually invest your cash in their endeavours? Well now you can with Gambitious, a new crowd funding website designed purely for game developers looking for more than a bsidian Entertainment – once a proud studio put simple hand-out. together from the remains of Black Isle after its Gambitious Oclosure – has had more than its share of turmoil allows for two these last few years. After publisher issues during the types of crowd development of Fallout: New Vegas and Alpha Protocol funding: pledges and investments. and the lacklustre performance of Dungeon Siege III, the When a game studio has decided to undergo a radical shift in direction. project is created, No more publishers, no more nonsense; Obsidian has now the developers can joined Double Fine Productions in the attempt to build a specify how much triple-A game off the funding from Kickstarter. they’re looking The studio’s game, currently entitled Project Eternity, for as pledges, is set to be a party-based isometric RPG with rich tactical investments, or combat, immersive narrative elements and plenty of both – the key character customisation. One of the aspects that the diff erence between the two is that team seems to be most excited about is the opportunity investors actually to introduce dark, adult themes to the game that would have a stake in the usually put off a publisher. Of course, with crowd funding, company they’re the gamers get to decide which projects look enticing to giving money to, them, and from the success of this project it’s clear that and, consequently, they like what they’ve seen so far. Obsidian went in with a the studios can be goal of $1.1M and at the time of writing, with just one week held responsible to go, has more than doubled that – don’t be surprised if by the investors. they manage to crack the $3M mark. Additionally, investors don’t get any fancy perks like pre-orders, beta access or oversized T-shirts: it’s a Don’t drop the BASS straight-forward business investment in exchange for equity. It’s too early to tell how this new way of going about crowd-funding will pan out, but we’ve already seen a couple of high-level studios jump on s a rather sneaky addition to Revolution Software’s board or express recently successful Kickstarter campaign for a new interest in working ABroken Sword game, the studio told backers that this way, including they’d get started on a sequel to their 1994 gritty science- Stronghold creators fi ction adventure game Beneath a Steel Sky if they Firefl y Studios and reached $1M in pledges. However, once the campaign even 3D Realms. You know, in case the closed with the one million mark nowhere in sight, BASS catastrophe that was fans became worried. Thankfully, Revolution has now the development told eager gamers that BASS 2 will go ahead regardless, of Duke Nukem with work beginning on the game as soon as Broken Forever isn’t enough Sword is out the door. Hooray! to put off every single person on the planet.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 21 / BYTES /
The Indie Investigator Black Ops II’s zombie Content versus mechanics At a recent game dev meet-up in Cape Town, I off ered a rather mode dials it up to 1,000 broad presentation on the subject of mechanics-driven vs. content-driven design. Within that murky, brackish body of ideas, there was the half-formed opinion that a lot of developers make the entirely wrong choice when creating their own games. To be clear, all games have a basic level of both mechanics and content. A perfectly mechanics-free game is just a fi lm. A perfectly content-free game is... well, literally nothing. So when a game is being “driven” by one or the other, it’s more of an attitude or focal point than an absolute philosophy. “Content-driven design is all about focusing on the classic sprawl, the “sandbox game”, the idea of getting lost in a huge world with X many enemies, Y many environments...”
Generally speaking, a good mechanics-driven game contains just a few components linked in a tight web e’ve always had a map against increasingly diffi cult of interactivity, much like the “unifi ed design” theory very, very soft, brain- waves of zombies in Survival mentioned in this column a few months back. If you want Wfl avoured spot for mode, however, the game will a game built around a gravity gun, time rewinding and Treyarch’s zombie mode that still cater for that. It can still Scarlett Johannson (for some reason or another), you should has become a staple of all their be played solo or with friends, be maximising your fun by getting all of those components Call of Duty games since World and you’ll build defenses and functioning with one another instead of in isolation. So at at War. It’s a deliciously fun bit hold out as long as possible. some hypothetical game point, Scarlett Johannson should of cooperative survival, and we The maps Survival mode is set appear from a portal to the future, wielding said gun against always knew the undead would in are custom-made takes on you. Gravity fi ghts for everyone! return in Call of Duty: Black Ops environments from Tranzit. Content-driven design is all about focusing on the classic when it releases on November Another exciting piece of sprawl, the “sandbox game”, the idea of getting lost in a huge 13th. Now, Treyarch has seen fi t zombie info involves the inclusion world with X many enemies, Y many environments, hundreds to reveal details on what we can of competitive play. It’s set in a of item combinations and, of course, a bajillion guns ala expect from the latest iteration. mode dubbed Grief – but the Borderlands 2 (extra wub wub optional, but always a nice touch). First on the list of exciting folks at Treyarch have nicknamed Instead of relying on the exploration and combination of a few changes and fresh features is an it “4z4”. Your sole objective is to elements to extend an initially small playspace, you’re spreading entire zombie campaign, called outlive an opposing team of four your bets by making the starting playspace a lot bigger. Instead of Tranzit. It’s the biggest zombie survivors. To aid you in this, you’re just a gravity gun, you also have a portal creator, a glue gun and a world the Treyarch team has ever able to “grief” the other team – snackwich maker. Instead of Scarlett, you have the entire cast of created. You’re not staying in one which we’re guessing involves The Avengers. place this time: instead, you travel activating various obstacles and Which approach should you be taking? Generally speaking, to multiple areas, reaching them annoyances that’ll make it diffi cult the games which survive (and thrive) in most indie communities either by foot or by bus (it’s not yet for the enemy team to keep the are the ones that focus on the mechanics fi rst and content clear if this bus is controllable, or zombie threat contained, leading second. Both are important, but mechanics should come fi rst completely on-rails), all the way to their demise. simply because they are easier to prototype: a well-designed fi ghting off the undead, defending In addition to all this, you’re demo of your idea can be rattled out in a few days rather than a yourself and your mates. Tranzit able to tweak and customise the few weeks (or months!) and the overall investment is lower if it now includes buildable objects, three game modes in various turns out your idea needs to be scrapped. And since scrapping which Treyarch describes as ways in custom games. So if will happen nine times out of ten no matter what your Game elements that can be combined to you’d prefer to make it so only Developer Power Level may be, this represents an important open up new parts of the world, headshots can kill zombies, or saving of valuable time and eff ort. or to make weapons. So, basically, if you’d like to set your starting Content is a valuable component of any game’s design, but it Tranzit it a sort of rolling zombie round in Survival mode, you can usually be brought in after the core concept has been proven. campaign, spread across multiple can. With all these changes, Some of the best completed games out there strike a remarkably defensible areas rather than the the zombie mode is practically good balance between mechanics and content, but when you zombie mode tradition of a single, an entirely new game bundled have to start somewhere, it won’t be with the sprawling world. large area to defend. No word with Black Ops II. Not bad for It’ll be with a far more intimate situation involving just the most yet on what happens when you something that evolved from important elements of the game, a couple of “trial” scenarios and actually fi nish this campaign. a silly distraction at the end of just enough content to hold everything together. If you prefer defending a single World at War, ‘ey? That, and preferably something related to Scarlett Johannson. - Rodain Joubert
22 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Old-school games industrydustry veterans attempt old- school role-playing gameame
f you stroll over to the magical landd ofof KickstarterKickstaarterteter (depending on when you’re readingg this), yyouou mimightght spot Ia project simply dubbed Old-Schoolool RPGRPG – althoughalthough that’s likely not the fi nal title. What makes this project tickle our excite zone the way that it does is the fact that long- time industry veterans Tom Hall and Brenda Brathwaite are at the helm of this crowd-funded endeavour. Also, John Romero’s involved, because his development studio Loot Drop is developing the game in conjunction with HOW Brathwaite and Hall. UNEXPECTED! If you’re scratching your head, wondering who Brathwaite and Hall are, the former is a veteran of the One of gaming’s Wizardry series (following which she worked on Dungeons worse-kept secrets, & Dragons), while Hall was a founder of id Software, the development of and he’s worked on titles like Commander Keen, Doom, a third core game in the Dragon Age Wolfenstein and Anachronox. They’re looking for one series, has now been million dollars to make their old-school RPG happen, and confi rmed by EA. at the time of writing, they’re sitting at $205,992 with 27 It’s called Dragon days to go. It’s described as a “classic fi rst-person, fantasy/ Age III: Inquisition; sci-fi RPG” in which you create four characters and explore. it’s going to run on It’s got everything you expect from the RPGs of yesteryear, DICE’s Frostbite 2 like skills (!) and characters (!) and NPCs (!) and combat (!). engine; and it’s set The most unique facet of its Kickstarter campaign is that, if to be released in late the game reaches its stretch goal of 1.9 million dollars, we’ll 2013. This release window has one giant get two separate, but intertwined games. implication: it’s likely “If you’re kind enough to help us reach this amount of set for release on funding, we’ll create TWO FULL games – one designed next-gen consoles by Brenda Brathwaite and one designed by Tom Hall. Not which all rumours only will you cast, smash and slash your way through two and sources say will full games, the endings of each game provide exclusive arrive around that NEW game beginnings in the other! Import your crew from same time. Of course, Tom’s game into Brenda’s and vice versa. The ending you you can expect it to create aff ects not only your new game beginning (if you launch on PCs as well. As for Wii U, well, we choose it), but also provides unique advantages that you can defi nitely see an earn no other way.” RPG working with If you head over to www.kickstarter.com before the console’s tablet November 4th, you’ll be able to help back the project. controller, and we $15 gets you a digital copy of the game. Pledge $10,000 know that Frostbite or more and Brathwaite, Hall and Romero will deliver the is highly scalable to game in a box on a red velvet pillow to your door. fi t diff erent levels of hardware, so it could certainly happen. No promises though. Other than a The Secret World stays afl oat handful of rumours, there’s not much uncom’s latest foray into the MMO space has information available had its ups and downs; The Secret World had about the game itself. Fa few good ideas going for it but ultimately the We do know that the execution of the game as a whole lead to average development team performance in the market. Down but not beaten, has taken on tons of the studio has spent the last couple of months player feedback and will try to incorporate restructuring its internal teams and has actually some of the more managed to pull itself up to a level which is profi table. popular requests into From here on out, CEO Ole Schreiner says that the the new title. There’s future for the game could lie in the free-to-play also talk of the game model, and that they “defi nitely have the tools to turn following the open- The Secret World into a free-to-play game – or even world exploration a hybrid – should we decide to do that somewhere of the Elder Scrolls down the line.” series, especially the However, they seem confi dent that the solution recent and highly- successful Skyrim, they’re currently running with is working for them, which the team has both in terms of their internal workings and what they reportedly explored can off er their players. in great detail to see what makes it tick.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 23 / BYTES /
Miktar’s Meanderings Angry Birds Star Wars is a thing Ceti eel, in your ear, can you hear? Rump-Titty-Titty-Tum-TAH-Tee!
I don’t remember who it was that introduced me to the term “earworm,” but it got stuck in my head, much like the concept it describes. I think it came from German research into the “stuck song syndrome” phenomenon: the way a song, or part of one, will get wedged into your thinker and just sit there, looping. Earworms aren’t new: Edgar Allan Poe had an 1845 short-story called “The Imp of the Perverse” that mentioned the idea. With modern music producers trying very hard to make sure their song is the one you remember, research into more eff ective “hooks” has led to some truly insidiously designed chord progressions. Which when combined with catchy open- ended lyrics, result in earworms like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” [dammit Miktar, Ed].
“If the brain were so simple we could understand nd it’s a thing that’s coming equally stupid role of C-3PO. The pigs it, we would be so simple we couldn’t.” to every conceivable platform will naturally be the Empire, with a Aknown to mankind: iOS, Darth Vader king pig and pig-shaped - Lyall Watson Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Mac, PC Death Star shown off in artwork and Windows Phone. We’re betting released so far. Why do earworms get affi xed in our heads? It’s not that well you’ll be able to buy the game on a The game will take on-board the understood. People with damage to their temporal lobe, which is toaster as well. gravity gameplay mechanics that involved in auditory perception and houses the primary auditory Rovio’s phenomenon is no stranger made a recent debut in Angry Birds cortex, often get a condition known as “palinacousis”. They’ll to movie cross-overs what with Angry Space. Rovio, however, is insisting keep hearing a sound, even when the physical sound has long Birds Rio hitting iOS devices alongside that this won’t be a simple re-skinning since stopped playing. So it’s likely, and perhaps obvious, that the the Twentieth Century Fox fi lm. Now, of Space, and that the birds and auditory cortex is responsible to some degree. however, it’s Lucasfi lm’s turn to team pigs will have proper characters and Auditory imagery – the subjective experience of hearing up with the world’s most identifi able personalities. John Williams’ iconic something in the absence of auditory stimulation – has been mobile games IP. soundtrack will also be a part of the studied to some length. But since we can’t just fl ip up the hood Angry Birds Star Wars will feature whole package. and peek inside the brain-engine while it’s running to see what’s iconic locations and moments from Angry Birds Star Wars will be out on making the noise, research is tricky. In 1909 the German anatomist the original trilogy, only populated 8 November; listen closely and you Korbinian Brodmann used the “Nissl stain” technique to “dye” with birds and pigs. The red bird will might hear millions of voices suddenly parts of the brain, giving us the Brodmann regional map of be playing Luke Skywalker, the yellow cry out in terror. Sales fi gures will the cerebral cortex. Thanks to his research, we have a general bird will be Han Solo and that stupid, probably silence them. That or fan- understanding of which parts of the cerebral cortex do what, based egg-laying white bird will play the rage-induced suicide on their activity and cytoarchitectonics (structure). That’s why we know which bits of the brain are involved in motor functions, sight, sound, blood pressure, reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, and so on. Or at least, we know which bits light up with neural activity, when we’re exposed to certain stimulus. Star Wars: First Assault crops up again So we know areas 41 and 42 of the Brodmann area, the Primary and Auditory Association Cortex, are prime suspects in the case ack in August, a trademark fi ling might be the remnants of Star Wars: of earworms. A friend made the astute, if conjectural, observation for a game called Star Wars: Battlefront III, which was reported as that earworms are probably just our brain’s affi nity for the purity BFirst Assault appeared online. cancelled by numerous developers of mathematical structures: since repeating a known structure Now, however, “box art” for an Xbox who worked on the project, despite takes less energy than assimilating or constructing a new one. Still LIVE Arcade game has been dug up LucasArts never even admitting the doesn’t explain why they trigger arbitrarily though. and shared on NeoGAF (along with a game existed. Tangentially related is “procedural memory”, responsible plethora of other unannounced XBLA for us knowing how to do things like tying our shoes, reading, titles). The artwork is for Star Wars: First or driving a car. By repeating a complex action over and over, Assault and despite how often we’re we gain the ability to trigger the relevant neural systems told never to judge things by a cover, it without the need for conscious control or attention. We looks as if this could be a team-based see this echoed in “Game Transfer Phenomena”, a relatively online shooter of sorts. modern examination of residual thoughts, images, and feelings At time of writing, LucasArts is yet that remain after playing a game. Devote suffi cient time and to even acknowledge the game’s attention to a repeating activity, and before Pavlov’s dog can existence. They issued the following bark, we’ve gained a weird autonomous playback of the activity, statement to IGN when pushed for that for some people even manifest in dreams. comment: “It is an exciting time at our And since games are by their nature, looping, repeating sets of company right now, however we don't call/response systems, it’s no wonder we get so easily conditioned. have any announcements at this time.” - Miktar Dracon It’s been speculated that this game
24 November 2012 www.nag.co.za StarCraft II might
PS3 LOSES go free-to-play SOME WEIGHT
Just in time to take on Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U, Sony has announced the long-rumoured new PS3. Dubbed the “Super Slim”, it’s smaller than the current Slim model by 20% and weights a quarter less, but the most interesting change is how Sony has decided to emulate Microsoft’s approach to built-in storage. Two versions will ver the last year or so, Blizzard has experimented reach our shores: with free-to-play as a viable model for some of its an HDD bundle that features an internal games. WoW already includes limited F2P gameplay O 500GB hard drive, which is very common among those MMOs that still run at a recommended subscription charges, and now StarCraft II’s lead designer retail price of has said that Blizzard is “looking at free-to-play as an option R3,999.99, and an for the multiplayer”. This is by no means a confi rmation, but HDD-less version if it turns out to be the case, we could see a radical change in that has just 12GB of both the competitive and casual online RTS scene – especially fl ash storage built-in considering that C&C is already heading in this direction. and will retail for R2,899.99. If you’d like to expand the storage capabilities of the 12GB model, a separate 250GB Ubisoft rewrites hard drive can be purchased for an history with three-part as-yet undetermined price. This extra drive Assassin’s Creed III DLC can only be used with the new PS3. To be clear, bisoft has announced a three-part, single- that’s a R1,100 player DLC pack for Assassin’s Creed III. price premium UEntitled The Tyranny of King George, the for the expanded DLC will be episodic in nature and aims to throw storage. While the out the series’ penchant for historical accuracy in low price of the favour of something a little quirky. 12GB model will The Tyranny of King George takes place after obviously suit those the end of the American Revolution. Instead of people looking to returning power to the people and becoming the use the PS3 as a media centre, or American hero he is today, George Washington those who don’t seizes control of the fl edgling nation and crowns plan on buying himself king of the New World. This goes against many downloadable everything Connor has been fi ghting against and as titles, we can’t help such King Washington fi nds himself on the but baulk at the assassin’s “to-do” list. price diff erence Along with this announcement, Ubisoft between the two. unveiled two multiplayer DLC packs. This It’s not clear yet if brings the total amount of DLC up to fi ve the local versions will have any other portions, which means Assassin’s Creed III bundle diff erences will be getting a Season Pass as well. Pricing is like included set at $30 for the Season Pass, which will result in games, cables or an eventual 25% saving on all fi ve pieces. controllers, but we certainly hope that they do.
www.nag.co.za May 2012 25 / BYTES /
DISTRIBUTORS Apex Interactive 011 796 5040 Where’s that other ASUS SA 011 783 5450
BT Games 0861 4 GAMES Compuseed 011 781 XCOM gone then? 8880/2/3 Comstar 011 314 5812 STARBREEZE Core Gaming 011 535 9000 ANNOUNCE Corex 011 655 8800 THEIR NEW PROJECT EA South Africa 011 516 8300 In a colourful Evetech Solutions 012 326 6547 change of pace ESET 0860 313 872 for the Swedish developer, Frontosa 011 466-0038 Starbreeze Studios Incredible Connection 0860 011 700 has announced their newest title: a Intel Corporation 011 806 4530 vibrant fantasy aff air entitled Brothers: Look & Listen 011 467 3717 on 011 704 2679. A Tale of Two Sons. Megarom 011 361 4800 It’s still early days, NAG but given the look Microsoft/Xbox 0860 225 567 and tone of the Musica 0860 687 422 game seen thus far, it’s a change in Phoenix Software 011 803 5437 direction compared to Starbreeze’s Prima Interactive 011 799 7800 previous eff orts Rectron 011 203 1000 with Chronicles iraxis’ proper turn-based the drawing board. If it’s to be of Riddick, The Samsung 0860 726 7864 isometric strategy remake believed, then the game has Darkness and Silverscreen Trading 011 794 9749 Fof the classic X-Com series, retained its 1960s setting and the Syndicate. This is XCOM: Enemy Unknown, has general vibe that it’s conveyed how they describe Sonic Informed 011 3145800 been getting all of the attention when previously marketed, but it’s their newly announced title: Ster Kinekor 011 445 7700 lately, given that the game will now switched to a third-person
If your company isn’t listed here, phone “A man, clinging Entertainment have only recently launched perspective, with squad-based to life. His two sons, by time you read this and is an gameplay mechanics similar desperate to cure appropriately excellent rebirth of to those of Star Wars: Republic their ailing father, the series. Nobody’s been casting Commando where you’re in are left with but many thoughts to the other charge of a squad of agents who one option. They XCOM, the fi rst-person shooter can be ordered around each level. must set out upon from 2K Marin that caused so There’s allegedly also no a journey to fi nd much controversy among series mention of PC as a platform in the and bring back the ‘Water of Life’ as fans when fi rst announced. We survey either, only 360 and PS3, they come to rely haven’t heard anything about it with surveyed people apparently SUPPORT LINES on one another to for a really long time. being asked how they’d feel if the survive. One must Got a legal boxed game and need some Now, Kotaku are reporting game was made available as a $30 technical help? Before you call please be strong where the do the following. Update your system that – as was apparently alluded downloadable title, or if it was a other is weak, brave software, drivers and have a look online to in a recent marketing survey full, $60 retail release. More on this where the other is for a game patch. Just these simple tasks – the game has gone back to later, when/if it becomes offi cial. fearful, they must eliminate 93% of all problems – it’s a made be… Brothers.” up statistic but probably close enough. Swedish fi lmmaker Josef Publishers: Activision / Blizzard 2K Games Fares is apparently Rockstar / Ubisoft Codemasters NC-Soft / Namco-Bandai / Disney involved in the E-mail: [email protected] project. Fares has a Number: 0861 987 363 No Doubt/Activision lawsuit history of directing comedies, so we’ll Publishers: Microsoft Xbox see what that means Number: 0800 991 550 fi nally draws to a close for this game. In a teaser trailer, the Publisher: Electronic Arts brothers aid each e-mail: [email protected] hances are you’ve probably tracks were played in Band Hero. Instead, other in moving Telephone: 0860 EAHELP/324357 completely forgotten about this Activision made their likenesses usable across a fantasy by now, but back in 2009 band across the game’s entire song catalogue. C land, with a green No Doubt went after Activision, fi ling a The case was fi nally due to appear in the giant seemingly lawsuit that stated Activision were only Los Angeles Superior Court on October joining them. More meant to use the in-game likenesses of 15th, but the two parties instead agreed details when we No Doubt’s members when their own to settle out of court. have them.
26 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
Bethesda forms new development studio, is on the
hunt for free-to-play experts Pre-orders www.lookandlisten.co.za
ethesda Softworks has revealed that they’re setting up a new development house in Austin, Texas, going PC Bby the grandiose name of Battlecry Studios. The F1 Race Stars November studio is headed up by Rich Vogel, a former vice president Assassin's Creed III November 23rd of BioWare Austin. He most recently served as executive 22 CANS producer on Star Wars: The Old Republic. Vogel’s been BioShock Infi nite February 26th 2013 WILL MAKE working on MMOs for the past ten years, both at Electronic ONLY ONE Arts and Sony Online Entertainment. GAME, SAYS While the announcement of the studio’s formation also Xbox 360 MOLYNEUX contained word that it’ll be working on an “unannounced project”, Halo 4 November 6th Peter Molyneux’s job postings that immediately followed allude to the fact that the Crysis 3 March 2013 sudden switch to studio’s looking to dive straight into the online free-to-play space. indie life, free of Tomb Raider March 5th 2013 Eurogamer spotted job postings which include a “monetization Microsoft’s ever- designer” and a platform lead position which requires experience watchful gaze, with “design and implementation of microtransaction systems hasn’t stopped and services.” The listings also suggest a release on consoles, PS3 him from making as Bethesda state that “console experience – preferably next Hitman: Absolution November 20th his trademark generation (PS3, Xbox 360)” would be preferred. There’s grandiose promises Far Cry 3 November 30th speculation that this all could relate to Fallout in some way. Anyone and sweeping statements that fancy a free-to-play Fallout MMO? Dead Space 3 March make people sit back and say, “Wait... what?” Wii In his latest WWE 13 November 2nd burst of weirdness, Molyneux told Ding dong, the witch Rise of the Guardians November 23rd VG24/7 that his Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 November 30th new development isn’t dead just yet studio, 22 Cans, is “only going to make 3DS one game and that’s it.” That game will Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate November only come after the Mission 22 “experiments” that his studio is Sonic & All-Stars Racing November 16th currently working Transformed on, the fi rst being Wreck-It Ralph November 30th Curiosity: What’s Inside the Cube? – a game where millions of players Slenderman is chip away at a latinumGames has confi rmed that Bayonetta single, giant cube 2 is in development, but here’s something that until one player Pmight come as a shock: it’s going to be a Wii U watching you... discovers the secret exclusive. at its core, a secret The reasons for this move are numerous but amount to a f you’ve lost faith in big AAA companies’ abilities to which Molyneux simple little thing one needs to develop games at this level: put together a seriously scary game, then maybe says is “life- money. Bayonetta publisher SEGA decided not to back the you need to start digging into the world of indie changing.” I “But everything game’s sequel, forcing Platinum to seek a partner elsewhere. studios. In particular, anything to do with Slender: a that we do, every They found Nintendo who were interested both in covering chilling fi rst-person exploration game that recently thought that we the costs and, more importantly for them, securing another took the online world by storm with its incredible have, every moment potential must-have title for their upcoming platform. mood and immersive qualities. Now the game’s of a day, is all The studio has only praise for their new partner, claiming developer has teamed up with indie devs Blue Isle working towards in a press release that “Nintendo, as a company, is dedicated Studios to bring about a fully-featured sequel entitled this full game,” he to establishing a new future for the games industry” and that Slender: The Arrival. says. “22 Cans is they needed to secure this partnership because “the console The game is still in early stages of development but only going to make games market is in a state of upheaval, so establishing a the few screenshots available indicate that the visuals one game and that’s it. You just new game franchise requires a considerable amount of will, will be taken to a level more fi tting of a game that will release that single determination, and love.” Or cash, in other words. cost you money. In addition to a better looking game, experience then you Before you get too excited, bear in mind that this the developers are keen to bring in a strong narrative as refi ne it and adapt exclusivity doesn’t mean that Bayonetta 2 will be a launch well as a much larger game world to explore. it like – and don’t title for the new console. If we were to guess, we’d say you There’s no word on a release date yet, but we know think of this in any could start expecting something around this time next year. that it’s in development for PC only at this stage. We way other than an suggest that you keep an eye on Steam and Desura as analogy – when a likely release platforms. TV company makes a soap opera.”
28 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ BYTES /
Well hello, sexy lady! Caption of the month Ladies and germs, we’d like to introduce you to Every month we’ll choose a Roxy, our offi cial rAge mascot for 2012. It’s not that we don’t love Scarlett anymore, it’s just screenshot from a random game and that rAge turns 10 this year, and we thought it write a bad caption for it. Your job is was time for a new babe sporting some cool to come up with a better one. The gear. So we briefed winner will get a copy of Of Orcs and DMC: DEVIL South African illustratorr Men for PC from Apex. Send your MAY CRY Warren Louw, who also DELAYED ON did Scarlett for us back captions to [email protected] with the PC, PORTING in 2010, and our vision subject line “November caption”. OUTSOURCED for a rAge/NAG gaming hick was created. We c Ninja Theory’s think she’s hot and reimagining of would play her in a Hideki Kamiya’s video game any day. Devil May Cry Every month we’ll series is coming hide her somewhere in to consoles on 15 the magazine – your January 2013. It’s also coming to PC mission is to go fi nd her.. but Capcom has now revealed that Send your sighting the PC version has to [email protected] been delayed as the with the subject line porting project has “November Roxy”, andd been outsourced to of course your contactt another developer. details, and you could A company win a prize. called Polish QA is handling the PC port. They’ve done porting and October losers - you! localisation work for Capcom in the NAG’s lame attempt at humour / REVIEWS / past, which includes Gollum’s yonger brother Dave, waited in vain for his brother to come home. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron porting Super Street Best Yet
he Transformers franchise of video games has been something of a mixed bag, and goes quite a long T way to prove that there is a distinct gap in quality between games based on movies, and games not based on movies. In recent years, there have been three games Fighter 4 Arcade released to support Michael Bay’s cinematic exploits, and one “historical” game (in the form of War for Cybertron) that didn’t coincide with a fi lm release. This last game was the best of the four, and by a long shot. And now developer High Moon have added even more to the Transformers canon in the form of Fall of Cybertron, the second game not associated with a major motion picture and the sequel to War for Cybertron. And it’s even better, easily taking the title of best Transformers game. That may not seem like much, Edition and Street but the truth is that Fall of Cybertron is a very decent game, all in all, and one that action fans (and fans of the franchise, of course) will fi nd not only fun and challenging, but also rather addictive. High Moon opted to go with a similar style of game dynamic for Fall of Cybertron. Using a combination of robotic and vehicular forms, the player takes on wave after wave of enemy combatants during the campaign. Fighter X Tekken to The game will assign roles to the player, and characters like Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream are all up for play. The player will switch sides during the campaign, as the story requires, with a fi nale that allows the
player to pick sides. The campaign is fairly long, and well DETAILS worth experiencing. The story isn’t the greatest, but the the PC. Platforms dynamic environments, great, detailed graphics and often 360 / PC chaotic combat make for an excellent experience. It isn’t PS3 / Wii just another cover-based shooter – using diff erent weapons Genre and upgrades, as well as varying between robot and vehicle, Third-person will allow the player a varied and often strategic approach. shooter In terms of multiplayer, Fall of Cybertron off ers a few Age restriction options. There’s co-op for up to four players, as well as 12 competitive modes. Escalation is a Horde-style mode that Multiplayer According to can be rather fun, but the multiplayer – apart from co-op Local – is relatively forgettable. This is in part due to the fact that None player number restrictions keep things a bit tame, with a Online maximum of twelve players in any given game. 12 players Still, it can be a lot of fun, and the overall package is a Developer good way to kill a few hours. The campaign is the shining High Moon jewel of the package, off ering some replay incentive too, Studios with weapon blue-prints and voice logs to be discovered in Website the massive levels. Capcom: “Because www.transform In short, it is the best Transformers game we have seen ersgame.com from High Moon studios. Publisher - Ramjet Activision Distributor Megarom High Moon have created the best Transformers 80 game yet in the form of Fall of Cybertron it’s being developed
PLUS Lots of chaotic action / Looks pretty
MINUS Nobody found Average multiplayer / Not very deep out of house by a 76 October 2012 www.nag.co.za her; we win! diff erent developer from Ninja Theory there are logistical THIS things involved. But MONTH’S the plan is to get it out shortly after LOOT the ship date for the PS3 Phenom Wireless console version.” Controller valued at Unfortunately, R449.95. Sponsored at the recent by dreamGEAR and Tokyo Game Show, Musica Capcom confi rmed that they cannot give a concrete Last months winner release date for the OPPA GANGNAM STYLE! - Ricardo De Vasconcelos PC version.
30 May 2012 www.nag.co.za Release list Dates subject to change without notice November week 1 MaK is where Super Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Vita Assassin's Creed III 360 / PS3 Mario Galaxy collides LEGO The Lord of 360 / 3DS / DS / PC the Rings PS3 / Wii / Vita Need for Speed: Most Wanted 360 / PC / PS3 / Vita with Minecraft Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth 360 WWE 13 360 / PS3 / Wii Halo 4 360 Mass Eff ect Trilogy 360 / PC Rocksmith 360 / PC / PS3 November week 2 Call of Duty: Black Ops II 360 / PC / PS3 / Vita The Hip-Hop Dance Experience 360 / Wii Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 360 / 3DS / PC / PS3 / Wii U / Vita Spy Hunter 3DS The Sims 3: Seasons PC Wonderbook: Book of Spells PS3
November week 3 Hitman: Absolution 360 / PC / PS3 ew construction-/invention-/ “With our project, MaK, we’re Assassin's Creed III PC crafting-centric games seem setting out to capture the feeling Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two 360 / PC / PS3 / Wii Nto be announced every ten of exploring something really new. minutes, and MaK (pronounced To that end, we’re building a unique Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion 3DS “make”) is one of them. At fi rst glance, world with its own laws of physics it’s a game about building, naturally and we’re serving up the player with November week 4 drawing comparison to Minecraft, but a set of freeform building blocks it’s set in space, and your character to build structures and functional Assassin's Creed III Wii U is able to jump between diff erent contraptions. At its core MaK is a Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 360 / PS3 / Wii / Wii U fl oating asteroid- and planet-like physics sandbox with tethers, rockets, F1 Race Stars 360 / PC / PS3 fl oating objects, fl ipping gravity across explosives, teleportation, relative them in analogous fashion to moving gravity and potentially unlimited room Far Cry 3 360 / PC / PS3 around similarly fl oating bodies in for creativity.” LittleBigPlanet Karting PS3 Super Mario Galaxy. Where it diff ers “The gameplay comes from a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale PS3 / Vita from Minecraft and puts its own variety of fun game modes that spin on construction, is that it seems we’re wrapping around this sandbox. Rabbids Party Land Wii U to be more about putting together From single player mind benders to Rayman Legends Wii U contraptions than manipulating the competitive multiplayer modes like Rise of the Guardians 360 / 3DS / DS actual game world. You do so using our recently implemented ‘Bombing PS3 / Wii / Wii U predefi ned blocks in a physics- Run’ style game, the weird physics and based environment. Developer contraption building add an element New Super Mario Bros. U Wii U Verge Game Studio describes it of unpredictable mayhem to the Nintendo Land Wii U better than we could: proceedings.” Wreck-It Ralph 3DS / DS / Wii ZombiU Wii U
www.nag.co.za May 2012 31
L
– rAge visitor
GE 2012 A R ’s 9:55 a.m. on Friday the 5th of October, 2012. The next fi ve IT minutes might as well be fi ve hours. There’s growing anticipation, impimpatientatient anxieanxietyty ata the sight of the crowd gatgatheredhered outside ttheh doors to the Coca-Cola BEAUTIFU DomeDome’s’s main entraentrance. This is the zombie apoapocalypse,calypse, wwherehere the zombies are instead “I’m 50 kilometreski from home, but I’ve never felt more at home.” eneenergizedrgized gagamersmers aand the apocalypse is uultimateltimate joyjoy.. There’There’s nervous excitement, the sosortrt ththatat buildsbuilds aroundarou the start of a race before the startstartinging pipistolstol ssounds its intent. A minute paspasses.ses. TTensionension grgrows.o Frantic radio chatter CHAOS emanates fromfrom nearbynea walkie-talkies, but it seems nobnobody’sody’s aactuallyc paying attention to the wwordsords beingbeing transmittedtransm on the airwaves. All ffocusocus isis onon thethe doors.doo AnAnotherother minute.minute. Static camera crews check their equequipment,ipment, eensuringn it’s set up perfectly. PPeopleeople rereadyady theirtheir phones,p preparing them to snasnapp qquickuick pphotoshotos ofo the upcoming charge of unleashed enthenthusiasm.u After a temporary forever, 1010 a.m. fi nallyna arrives. It seems we’re runninrunningg a little late. One fi nal check, another fi ve-minute eternity,eternity and the doors are fi nally , one of the 3 yanyankedked opopen.en. TherThere’se excited screaming from the crowd pouringpouring down the steps and fi ltering Far Cry 3 er at rAge 2012. intintoo tthehe ententrancerance bobooths. Look around and many hands-on games on off youyou’ll’ll see one comcommonm sight: everyone’s face is plaplasteredstered with the biggest,b most absurd smile it can muster – ororganisers,gan media and visitors alike. Look closely,closely, and youyo might spot a few joyful tears to match. ThThere’se a palpable mix of relief, anticianticipationpation and enthusiasmen for what the next three daysdays will bring.bring It’s on. TAPTAP X REPEREPEATEDLYATED TO PANIC Rewind to MondaMondayy of that week, and it all begins wiwithth an emptyempty Dome,Dom due to house the biggest, most iimportantmportant gagamingm event in the country
32 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE rAge 2012
(and on the entire African continent) for a PRESS START single weekend of the year; an unceremonious Fast-forward back to Friday, and the show is in beginning for great things to come. Event full swing. The magic is happening, to put a more organisers burst into action, bringing to grandiose spin on it. Animated faces stream up fruition plans that had been set many months and down the aisles, likely in search of free stuff in advance. By the end of this week (Monday given out by the various exhibitors. Stands of to Monday), Samantha Gabriel, rAge project all types are packed with people. Somewhere, manager, will have walked a total of 97,872 someone is kicking themselves for thinking that frenzied steps – a mad total of 68.51 kilometres. bringing gym equipment to the most awesomely Fun fact: that’s about ten kilometres more than nerdy convention in Africa was a good idea. A the average NAG employee will walk in their few spots immediately prove more impressive entire lifetime. and attention-worthy than the rest. Exhibitor stands slowly rise from the Dome’s Telkom’s excellent weekend MC is fl oor. Some are simple shells, modest but broadcasting furiously, drawing in crowds from eff ective in promoting their exhibitor’s purpose. across the expo. People fl ock to Megarom’s Others are grand designs, perfectly located to fi ve-stage exhibit, eager to get their hands on draw maximum attention and exposure, loaded games only due to be released months from with games to play and competitions to enter. now, as well as some popular recently released Others are mini-stores, eager to hand over titles. Similarly, the towering Nintendo stand merchandise lowered by ludicrous show specials has people eager to try out the Wii U prior to its to a fraction of their original price. By close release, and try their hand at some 3DS titles. of rAge on Sunday the 7th of October, these A pair of promoters dressed as Mario and Luigi exhibitors will have showcased their wares to can’t walk three steps without being accosted by 28,930 people. punters eager for a photo with them. It’s practically impossible to accurately Master Chief casually patrols Microsoft’s convey just how much planning, work and Xbox stand, occasionally posing for photos with overall eff ort (complete with the obligatory mix visitors. It seems even the Chief isn’t immune of blood, sweat and tears) goes into an event to the naturally alluring spectacle of all the pre- like this to someone who’s never actually seen released games. It’s a special moment in any it from behind the visitor veil. It’s why you’ll gamer’s life when you get to see Master Chief, spot a few elated organisers’ tears when the assault rifl e in hand, intently watching someone doors fi rst open: it’s watching an infant you’ve play Forza Horizon, while enraptured visitors nurtured for so many months fi nally take its play Halo 4 behind them. Ster Kinekor’s booth fi rst steps, stumbling awkwardly over its own shows off games of all types, providing quick-fi re feet and precariously fi ghting with its balance, access to video games for all audiences. EA has occasionally losing control and mashing its face everything ranging from The Sims to Medal of on the corner of a table, immediately sending its Honor: Warfi ghter available to play, catering to parents into a fl urry. But it’s every bit as joyous as gamers of all tastes. Inconspicuously hidden it is terrifying. amongst the crowd are a few international game
CoD4 is still alive and well in the eSports arena. bvd beat BfB lArd in the fi nals of the DGL Championships. Loving those fl uff y pink slippers dude.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 33 FEATURE rAge 2012
Over 70 cosplayers strutted their stuff on the main stage on Saturday. developers, fl own to SA for the sole purpose of demonstrating their works at the expo. Early admission to gaming’s many thrill- rides isn’t the only thing enrapturing people: expensive hardware and gadgetry occupy display cabinets across the show fl oor. Some of South Africa’s top overclockers showcase their craft for the masses. Gamer lifestyle is everywhere. The fl ea market has on display countless board games, fi gurines and pen and paper RPGs. A short walk away, people play a variety of board games and collectible card games, demoing them for anyone who’ll stop and watch. The Dark Carnival’s attractive stand constantly has people crowding around it, staring in awe at the incredible statues, collectibles and assorted merchandise, practically throwing money at the cashiers. “Just when we think that the show cannot get any bigger, we HIT CTRL TO ACTIVATE RAGE MODE experience another rAge and we are completely blown away. There are moments during rAge, as you’re This show celebrates and feeds South Africa’s gaming culture moving through the crowds, when the sights and sounds and spectacles of the expo all and without our visitors’ passion and dedication, rAge would converge, a stunning crescendo of gaming- not be the success that it is today.” themed chaos. You’ll hear a faint chiptune rendition of a popular song in the distance, – Michael James, rAge’s senior project manager then round a corner and be confronted by an impromptu dance troupe happily jamming along to Sing Party. Suddenly you fi nd yourself at the main stage, where people are cheering at the end of a demonstration of ZombiU by two of the game’s French developers. And then you’ll bump into someone cosplaying Team Fortress 2’s Pyro, and your brain will offi cially have a mini-orgasm. Speaking of cosplay, one of the main attractions was a cosplay competition that saw
some incredibly talented individuals dress up the Dome, all there to celebrate and envelop as their favourite characters from comic books, themselves in gaming, technology and the games, movies, anime and more, all vying for lifestyle surrounding it. Their stunned awe the aff ection of a panel of judges. Behind a fence should be more than enough to prove rAge’s ZombiU had a great reception at the dividing it and the expo lies the NAG LAN @ rAge: importance, and why it’s such an infl uential show. After three days of gaming this is 2,580 gamers on a single network, gaming, event for gamers across the country, and how most of us felt. But with more nose. engaging in friendly multiplayer competition, even beyond: visitors all the way from socialising and just having a good time for 53 Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana passed hours straight. Peer beyond the fence after through the Dome’s entrance. Here’s an day one, and you’ll spot LANners passed out in indication of just how busy the expo got: on sleeping bags, on air mattresses and on their Saturday around lunchtime, the numbers keyboards. Downstairs, Telkom’s Do Gaming within the Dome grew so large that, for safety League sees competitive gamers duking it in reasons, people were temporarily stopped various games across various genres for fame, from entering until people inside had left [The fortune and glory, but mostly so they’re able to crisis lasted about 40 minutes, then it was justify all their smacktalk. business as usual again. Ed.]. At the end of it all, rAge is the most important THANKS FOR PLAYING event on any South African gamer’s calendar To know what makes rAge so special, invite for one reason: it’s a celebration of gaming. someone who’s completely unaware of gaming To quote something we overheard from an and its huge, yet ever-growing presence in onlooker in the crowd during an on-stage South Africa to join you at the expo on Saturday, presentation of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, “there are the expo’s busiest day [can you actually make so many f***ing games to play.” And we can’t that Sunday – we have enough crowd control think of a better way to describe everything that problems as it is on Saturday. ;) Ed.]. Watch as rAge represents. Thanks so much to everyone their eyes widen when they spot the queue who joined us at this year’s rAge and helped forming outside the Dome’s doors, mouth make it the amazing event it was, and if you agape as if they’re watching a T-rex pick its didn’t manage to make it this year, fi rstly, what teeth with a kitten. Chances are, they’ll be left even?!, and secondly, we hope you’ll join us next utterly speechless by the number of people in year. See you all at rAge 2013!
34 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
Black to the future
CUSTOM GAME MODES GAMES & BRIC-À-BRAC All modes can be All the fan-favourite played as a custom game modes are back game, and bots can (except Team Defender, be used to fi ll out a unfortunately), team (except for Party and all of them are Play modes). You can playable in Combat customise everything, Training. The new from defi ning the pre- Party Games option built classes, restricting lets you play variations content (no claymores, like Gun Game, One ha ha), to adjusting the in the Chamber, Pick 10 system to a Pick Sharpshooter, Sticks 3 or Pick 17.II and Stones, and so on. In which we travel to the far- fl ung present to play Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s multiplayer
Developer Treyarch Publisher Activision Platforms 360 / PC / PS3 / Wii U Release date November 13, 2012 Genre First-person shooter
HANDS ON
38 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE BLACK TO THE FUTURE II
s a follow-up to our coverage of the single-player portion of Black Ops II (NAG June, 2012), we were invited back to Treyarch’s studios in Los Angeles for some hands-on Awith the multiplayer side of things. Back in June, Treyarch boasted that their approach to developing the multiplayer would have “no sacred cows”: nothing was off -limits to be scrapped or re-tooled if they felt it was necessary. Brave words, when dealing with a vocal and, shall we say, enthusiastic fan base – one that demands change and innovation, yet paradoxically, hates it when things aren’t the same as they were before.
HANDS-ON WITH THE FUTURE was ready to show. Sometimes in groups of 6 “Not everyone that plays Call of Duty plays the versus 6, other times in the novel confi guration multiplayer.” says David Vonderhaar, Game of 4 versus 4 versus 4, which made for some design director at Treyarch Studios. “Quite interesting situations when trying to capture frankly, that bugs the shit out of us.” and hold a point in the Hardpoint game type. David paces a little as he explains why The weight and speed of characters felt less like Treyarch felt the need to rework things so as to Black Ops and more like Modern Warfare 3, with entice new players, in what had by now become an emphasis on solid physicality. It felt good. a pretty conventional multiplayer package. What You can take a little more damage than usual some might call “cookie-cutter”, if they were (we chalk it up to more modern armour), so fi re playing the part of the hostile critic. Saying it’s fi ghts feel a little less insta-death. been “reworked” undersells it: if you were to remove all branding and series nomenclature CREATE-A-CLASS from the multiplayer in Black Ops II, even The most noticeable change is how Create-A- the most ardent Call of Duty fan might not Class works. Due to the new “Pick 10” system, recognise what they were looking at. It would be when designing your customised loadout, you familiar, yes, but so very diff erent as well. can leave out things you don’t want and pile on We spent fi ve hours playing a variety of team things you do. Everything uses up a point when game types across the three maps Treyarch slotted in, so a basic 10-point loadout would be a primary weapon (with two attachments), a secondary weapon (with one attachment), three Perks (one per tier), one lethal grenade type and one tactical grenade type. There are three Wildcard slots, which are used to “cheat” the system and design more interesting or tailored loadouts. Wildcards allow for things like picking two primary weapons instead of a secondary, using more Perks, carrying more grenades, and so on. If you decided to use the three Wildcards that allowed for an extra Perk in each of the
COMPETITIVE PLAY & ESPORTS Taking inspiration from how against people of similar package, there are new and picture-in-picture so in the new livestreaming StarCraft II does things, rank. There will be seven “COD Casting” elements you can see the team list on functions. You’ll be able there is a fully-functional divisions, (Bronze, Silver, during spectator mode: a the right (which also shows to livestream a match league system in Black Platinum, Gold, you get score HUD to give it that what actions each player is to the web, adding your Ops II. You choose to the idea), with league sporty feel, nameplates of taking, making it easier to own commentary to the participate, get ranked rankings likely to be used the players when you’re zoom to the action). You action. Treyarch does into a division after some for seeding in the major spectating through their can listen-in to the voice reserve the right to dictate preliminary matches, and eSports events. view, a full-screen map comms of a player as well. streaming conditions then you’re matched up To complete the eSports showing all player locations, All this comes together and locations, though.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 39 three tiers, you could run into battle with six Perks, but at the cost of having blown 9 points, leaving you with only enough for a gun with no attachments, or a grenade. Another style might involve picking Wildcards that let you layer on more than two attachments on your primary gun, and for carrying more grenades. If you pick something after having already used up all 10 points, you’re shown a quick visual list of everything you have, and asked which one to drop in favour of your new choice. Designing your custom class in this way is surprisingly fast, letting you make quick, hard calls on which things you really need (or want), and what you can live without.
SCORE STREAKS The second major change is the removal Predator Missile, but able to split into smaller of Killstreaks and Deathstreaks. Instead, mini-missiles) as well as attack dogs. But since Scorestreaks are rewards gained from doing their deployment is based on score, not kills, pretty much anything: defending points, it shifts the focus more towards achieving the capturing the fl ag, and of course, shooting objectives on the map, such as defending the that other guy, all within one life. Scorestreaks fl ag in Capture the Flag. You even get score look and smell like Killstreaks, allowing you to from each kill your teammates make after call in UAV drones, remote-controlled sentry you’ve called in a UAV to reveal enemies on turrets, the new Hellfi re Missile (think the the radar. If this smells a little like Battlefi eld 3’s scoring system, you’re not alone, except this has a tangible infl uence on the match. We spotted 22 Scorestreaks on the loadout screen: you pick the three you want, with the more lethal and potent ones requiring a much higher score. Once you’ve gained enough score during a match for a Scorestreak, hitting right on the d-pad calls it in. If you’ve stored up to three (they persist across lives), up and down on the d-pad cycles which one you call in when hitting right.
FILLING THOSE BARS It would have been easy to just add more numbers: more levels, more Prestige ranks, in an attempt to create more content. Instead, Black Ops II aims for “less, but more meaningful”. There are only 55 levels, and 10 Prestige ranks. You gain experience from pretty much everything, with the lion’s share coming from the after-action “medals”. Again, with an unmistakable nod to Battlefi eld 3, everything you do in a match grants you additional
COMBAT TRAINING Combat Training is no Boot Camp, Objective and modes except Search and longer an entirely separate Bot Stomp. Boot Camp is Destroy, and is also three system, and is integrated 6-on-6, with three players players plus three bots vs. a into the multiplayer and three bots taking on a team of the same, but you’ll experience. It serves as team of three players and only earn half experience. training wheels that ease three bots. You’ll be able Bot Stomp gets you no you into proper online to play Boot Camp up to experience, but allows six play. Combat Training is level 10, for full experience. players take on six bots for divided into three modes: Objective lets you play all fun, or training.
40 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE BLACK TO THE FUTURE II
THEATRE The Theatre Mode is now a full production tool for research and training. You can bookmark a match right after playing to fi nd it easier, or just go straight to the new recent victories list that shows you recorded matches in which you win. There’s a community tab that shows an activity feed from your friends, and you can vote replays up or down. The whole thing is displayed big and bold, visually, like Netfl ix. The real winner here is the experience points after the match, as you’re new highlight reel function. awarded medals. There are over 100 events You give it a replay, and it will that grant medals, everything from calling in a automatically edit together certain amount of Scorestreaks, to defending a “best moments” show reel, points, to getting lots of headshots. which you can adjust and edit Each time you level up, you’re given an unlock afterwards. All the important token which can be used to unlock a new editing features are back, like weapon, Scorestreak or Perk. Certain items are the dolly camera and Theatre gated by level, so you won’t be able to unlock Party viewing mode. What’s just anything from the start. There is more new: you can now have 20 content than there are levels, making it feel clips per fi lm, and the ability more like a role-playing game skill-tree. Which to merge clips. If you merge ties into the refund token you can get when you 20 clips into one, you free up Prestige. 19 more, for really fi ne-tuned When you hit max level, you’re given the camerawork or editing. You chance to Prestige, which drops your level can now also attach the back down to 1 and takes away all the weapons camera to an object, like a and items you’ve unlocked. Except this time, it rocket, or Scorestreak reward doesn’t reset your weapon XP (used for unlocking like the assault drone.
CHALLENGES attachments) or the progress you’ve made on All Challenges bring cosmetic challenges. When you Prestige, you’re given /personalisation rewards. a Prestige token (used to ignore the level gate There are over a thousand and permanently unlock a weapon/item), and challenges; completing one you get to choose between resetting your stats, gives you experience, and or a refund token. The refund token is useful: if there are camo unlocks for all you were partway through, say, the claymore weapons this time, including challenges and you Prestige, you can unlock rocket launchers and knives. the claymore, fi nish the challenges, then use the Each weapon has 10 base refund token to get all your unlock tokens back. skins to unlock via that Kind of like the respec option of an RPG. weapon’s challenges, and six Once you hit max Prestige, you gain the rank high-end challenges unlock of Master and all content is unlocked. We were special skins like carbon shown all the Prestige icons, except the fi nal and gold. You can even one, and they’re all visually distinct, not just earn new reticle graphics colour-variations of the same thing. The fourth by completing scope/ one in particular was awesome: a huge boar’s attachment challenges. head with giant tusks. - Miktar
ZOMBIES Yes, zombies return, cooperatively, explore an place in smaller, custom- four-versus-four-versus- up in full stat-tracking, surprising no-one. The new expansive world, using a made maps where you’re zombies setup. The last improved matchmaking, mode ties into the end of bus to reach new areas. not playing the main team alive wins; and you and you can set up a Resurrection, and contains Treyarch isn’t showing much characters, and instead earn “grief” deployable toys custom game if you want to four new characters, new yet, but have confi rmed are competing for a place which are used to make the select the starting round, zombie types, new weapons, two additional game types: on the leaderboards. Grief other team’s life miserable restrict it to headshots and a surprisingly large Survival and Grief. involves the CIA facing off since you can’t directly only, remove the magical story mode called Transit. Survival mode (for up the CDC (Center for Disease interact with them. items, or adjust the Up to four players playing to four players) takes Control), in a competitive Everything will be wrapped diffi culty setting.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 41 Main prize
INCLUDED
• SMSes charged at R1.50 (no free/ bundled SMSes apply). To enter SMS • Winners will be notifi ed by SMS. • Judges decision is fi nal and no correspondence will be entered into. the keyword • Competition closes 30 November 2012. Ubisoft to 33115 Main prize
INCLUDED
* Vaas Wahini bobble head + Assassin’s Creed III bracelet HANDS ON
building a blockier Middle-eartH
44 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO The Lord of the Rings
DETAILS he endlessly enduring video fantastically fun and addictive elements, Release date game franchise bearing the while still attempting to stay as true to endlessly enduring LEGO the classic tale as possible. October 2012 Platforms logo marches ever onwards, My hands-on time with the game this time giving the beloved proved immediately familiar and much 360 / 3DS / DS / PC The Lord of the Rings franchise a big too short, but there was enough in PS3 / Vita / Wii tol’ blocky hug. It’s a video game series there to showcase the developer’s Genre that’s become perfectly comfortable intention for the game. Taking place Action adventure altering its subject material as it sees during the siege of Helm’s Deep, we Developer fi t, repurposing popular franchises to were given control of three characters Traveller’s Tales cater to its addictive formula, recreating for the majority of it: the trio of Legolas, Website iconic scenes in its own unique image. Gimli and Aragorn. A short cut-scene thelordoftherings. It’s naturally grown immensely popular, reveals the game’s use of voice work lego.com appealing to players of all ages with its pulled straight from the fi lms. Hearing Publisher trademark charm and adorable humour. the recognisable lines delivered with Warner Bros. You may imagine that tackling an IP as such emotional impact by the LotR Interactive undeniably infl uential as The Lord of the trilogy’s excellent roster of actors, yet Rings would be a challenge even for this seeing them acted out by the comical series – but, as always, Traveller’s Tales LEGO minifi gures proves quite jarring are making it look easy, retrofi tting the at fi rst. However, the moment the fantasy epic with all of the LEGO series’ familiar slapstick, off beat humour
www.nag.co.za November 2012 45 i think there’s more to this hobbit than meets the eye
A staple of the LEGO series is to pack as many characters from the source material into the games as possible. Each character then has their own unique combat style and special abilities, used to progress through levels. In Story Mode, you’re generally confi ned to the characters provided at the start of the level, switching between them (or working in tandem with your fellow player if you’re playing cooperatively) to leverage their abilities and overcome each level’s unique obstacles. In Story Mode, you’ll often fi nd locked paths inaccessible to the available roster of characters. Complete the level and unlock it for Free Play, however, and you’re able to go back and use any characters you’ve thus far unlocked to access those previously inaccessible areas, changing the dynamic of the level and giving good reason to revisit areas. In the demo I played, for example, Gimli is able to use his axe to smash specially marked LEGO blocks, opening new paths through the level, or for smashing down siege ladders on the side of the keep’s walls. His small stature also enables him to crawl through confi ned spaces. Legolas’ bow is useful for shooting targets at range, perhaps hitting a highlighted object that spills LEGO bricks used to construct new in-game objects to solve puzzles, or simply to pick off enemies from afar. Both Legolas and Aragorn are able to grab Gimli and launch him at specially marked targets. In LEGO The Lord of the Rings, there’s now another consideration to bear in mind: characters are able to carry multiple items for solving various puzzles when they’re needed, and multiple weapons for use in diff erent situations, all selectable from a selection wheel. Legolas carries both his twin blades and his bow, for example.
46 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO The Lord of the Rings
becomes apparent amidst the inherent seriousness of the scenes, seeing this “as with the lego star wars series, which hilariously ridiculous contradiction in action becomes much more managed to shove entire film trilogies comfortable and likable. Legolas’ excited wave when his fellow Elves arrive to lend their aid for the upcoming battle; into single games, lego the lord of the Aragorn’s LEGO-accented face palm at Theoden’s arrogance when it comes rings compresses all three of peter to defending his keep; the live pig that’s being carried around in the background jackson’s epics into this one package.” to serve as extra weight to barricade a door; all these subtle touches play off the natural humour of the fi lms (Gimli likeness of the LEGO minifi gures present reach the end of their deadly dive. At imploring Aragorn “don’t tell the Elf” in the actual Lord of the Rings LEGO the same time, a new feature called before Aragorn tosses the dwarf across a playsets, which in turn are adorable Palantir Mode lets your co-op partner chasm) to maintain the grim importance adaptations of our favourite characters guide the rest of the fellowship to safety, of the original narrative, while still from the fi lm trilogy. They’re all dodging arrows as they exit the Mines preserving the light-hearted playfulness excellently animated, and boast a range of Moria. This asynchronous co-op isn’t for which these games are known. of facial expressions that actually do a mandatory – playing solo will still let Getting down to the actual gameplay, surprisingly good job of conveying their you control both Gandalf and the rest of those who’ve not had a go at the plastic emotions. the fellowship during all this. As you’ve LEGO series before should expect a As with the LEGO Star Wars series, probably realised by now, drop-in, mixture of light puzzle solving and which managed to shove entire fi lm drop-out split-screen cooperative will of simplistic, button-mashing combat trilogies into single games, LEGO The course return. These games thrive when playing as dozens of diff erent LotR Lord of the Rings compresses all three played cooperatively, and are a perfect characters, using their unique special of Peter Jackson’s epics into this one match for family play – their youthful abilities to overcome the challenges package. Compresses might not actually appeal makes them an obvious choice contained within each level. It’s what be the best word to use, because for kids, while mom and dad are sure you’ll be doing for the majority of your these games are always enormous, to get plenty of enjoyment out of the time with the game, although at set packed with hours of gameplay, tons simplistic, but thoughtful gameplay and times throughout the gameplay gets of secrets to discover and all manner of endless charm. changed up a bit in various ways – like collectibles to obsessively hunt. All of the Basically, it’s a LEGO game, and the one instance in which you charge scenes you expect to see are in there. series has proven so popular that chances out of Helm’s Deep on horseback in Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog sees you are you know exactly what that means. a mostly on-rails segment, knocking freefalling down that seemingly endless Based on everything I’ve seen, they’re over foes and dodging swings of crevice after the Bridge of Khazad doing excellent work with the Lord massive troll weaponry. For LEGO The Dum collapses, guiding Gandalf’s of the Rings franchise, faithfully Lord of the Rings, there’ll reportedly descent to prevent him from colliding recreating it while still cramming in be 84 characters to unlock and play as with the stony sides. Catch up to the the charismatic humour, lovable (both in Story Mode and Free Play – Balrog, and you can slash and stab at aesthetic and enjoyably addictive more explanation on this elsewhere) it, using the analogue stick to dodge gameplay that has made this throughout the journey. Each character its fi ery breath, repeating this until series such a hit amongst boasts the same lovingly crafted digital the wizard and his monstrous foe players of all ages. - Barkskin
there are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world
The pool of beasties and baddies from the trilogy will all star in the game. Uruk-hai, goblins, trolls and more are always eager to turn you into a pile of bouncing LEGO studs. But it’s the other, more signifi cant bad dudes who really steal the show. The Balrog, reconstructed as a LEGO fi gure, is something you don’t want to miss. Saruman, the Witch-king and the Nazgûl, and all the rest of the story’s villains appear. Gollum seems to be as excellently animated and articulate as he is in the fi lms. Many of them can be unlocked for use in Free Play as well. It’s not just the villains who’ll leave a lasting impression throughout your journey either – don’t forget the Ents. The name “LEGO” comes from the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which means “play well.”
wwww.nag.co.za November 2012 47 Q&A Nick Ricks interview, executive producer at TT for LEGO LOTR
NAG: Could you tell us what your role is on development of LEGO: The Lord of the Rings? [Nick Ricks] As TT Games Publishing’s Executive Producer, my role is leading the publishing eff ort, liaise and guide the you development teams and ensure that both LEGO step onto the Company and Middle-earth enterprises are fully road, and if you don’t keep involved in the creative process. It’s a busy and your feet, there’s no telling challenging job, but one I relish as, when I play where you might be swept off to the game, I’m completely blown away by what the teams have achieved. With a world as richly detailed and diverse as Middle- earth, there’s plenty for the game’s developers to work NAG: Has it been a challenge to adapt such a with when it comes to locations and levels. In constructing beloved, infl uential universe to digital plastic the world, it seems the developers have opted to turn Middle- earth into an open-world hub from which you access all your blocks and LEGO fi gures? Have you borrowed adventuring – although the story will still be told in linear any elements from Tolkien’s novels, or is the fashion. You’ll visit iconic locales like Minas Tirith from the game purely tied to the fi lms? trilogy, all lovingly forged out of digital LEGO. When the [NR] It’s an enormous responsibility to take wall of the keep is destroyed during the battle for Helm’s on the adaptation of such a treasured piece of Deep, it’s not masonry that’s sent soaring through the literary and theatrical work. At the same time air, but rather LEGO bricks. It’s an eff ect that’ll bring we strive to ensure that the fun, creativity and a smile to your face, and don’t let the fact that it’s action that is inherent in all our LEGO games is all plastic bricks fool you: this game boasts as strongly represented as ever. Our approach some astounding visual wizardry, and it’s often nothing less than has principally been to adapt the fi lms, and it’s beautiful. our fi rst LEGO re-telling of an Academy Award winning movie! Peter Jackson, the cast and crew and New Line did such an amazing job; that we’ve taken inspiration from their direction, which in turn has pushed us to new heights cinematically. However we’re also conscious that a great many adults and older children will be well versed with the written fi ction. So they and the burning clouds of Mordor, creates an will fi nd a few surprises woven into the game incredibly fun, compelling and authentic world that weren’t in either the theatrical releases or for the player to enjoy. the director’s cut. As for the emotional journey the characters’ abilities grow and develop as the game NAG: The LEGO series has travelled progresses. For example Aragorn begins as a everywhere from Batman to Indiana Jones, ranger with tracking skills, but develops the with varying degrees of success. What power to control the Army of the Dead, wield unique opportunities does the Lord of the Anduril (which can shatter Morgul LEGO blocks). Rings license bring to the gameplay, design In this way each character’s growth is refl ected and mechanics of the LEGO formula? both in the narrative, but also in the increased [NR] The fi rst thing the teams do when ways they can interact with the LEGO elements approaching a new game is to try to distil what around them. is unique about the story that we’re adapting. Indiana Jones introduced a greater emphasis NAG: With the open-world that’s on off er, on puzzle-solving and set-piece action; Batman how much tertiary distraction will exist in the had fantastic gadgets, vehicles and action! game? We’re assuming that, at the very least, The Lord of the Rings at its essence is a quest there’ll still be the traditional obsessive stud or journey: both physical; as the ring is carried collection and unlocking of new bonus areas to Mordor: and emotional; as the heroes grow between missions? and live up to their destinies. [NR] Of course, providing tangible rewards for The physical journey was conceptually exploratory gameplay is at the heart of what simple, but technically very challenging, as makes the LEGO games so enjoyable. This is we’ve created our own vast LEGO Middle-earth particularly true with LEGO Middle-earth, which into which all of the story events, quests and is the biggest environment we’ve ever created. battles are woven. The players have absolute We want young gamers and their families to be freedom to explore it all, and standing on top of inquisitive and explore it all. In order to achieve Minas Tirith, being able to see Edoras, Isengard this we’ve fi lled the landscape with mini-quests,
48 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE LEGO: The Lord of the Rings
dungeons and characters to interact with. When not actively pursuing the epic story line, we want people to ask themselves ”what’s around this corner?” and they will only do this if they know there is something there to discover. LEGO Middle-earth is fi lled with Mithril Blocks to uncover, magical items that can be found or forged that grant new powers, or new characters to collect. All of these, and many more besides, await and reward the players’ exploration.
NAG: There’s talk of item crafting – how does this work, and how complex will the system be? What sort of benefi ts can players expect to see from crafting items? dialogue, rather than recording new lines [NR] There are numerous ways that the player of talkies or using the LEGO series’ staple can wield new and powerful magical items, speech-free style? crafting being one of them. As they progress [NR] We always are striving to bring new through the game, players will uncover precious and fresh ideas to our LEGO games, and the LEGO Mithril blocks. Additionally plans and introduction of dialogue was something we schematics for items are hidden throughout thought long and hard about. Its inclusion the levels. The Mithril can be taken to the certainly adds to the cinematic feel we’re blacksmiths and used to forge new weapons conjuring, and having actors of the calibre and armour based on the plans that have been of Sir Ian McKellen, or Elijah Wood speaking discovered. Some give the wearer greater through the mouths of the mini-fi gures adds health (Mithril armour) or do more damage drama and excitement. Equally we were (Mithril weapons) but the rarer plans unlock conscious that we didn’t want to lose the more powerful magical items, with bonus and light-heartedness that has characterised our sometimes hilarious results. previous games, and our cut-scene team is still able to add lashings of slap-stick and physical NAG: In order to recreate the immense humour throughout. scale of Middle-earth and its many beautiful locations, as well as the huge battles that take NAG: One of the most renowned facets place at key points in the story, have you had of these games has been their wonderful to make any signifi cant improvements to the humour. Has the serious, sombre tone of game engine? some voiceovers and the narrative’s darker [NR] Many, in particular the technology that points made it diffi cult to keep things light allows for the seamless streaming of LEGO and humorous? Middle-earth. It really is breath-taking, climbing [NR] It’s always a challenge to bring material NAG: What was the greatest challenge in to the top of the Falls of Rauros and gazing over to a younger audience, but all our games creating a game of this scope and what was at Minas Tirith in the far distance, or seeing the have some darker moments, it’s a necessary the most rewarding part of the whole process. burning gaze of Sauron, literally emanating from part of the story telling and not something [NR] To make a game of this scope requires Barad-dur, cast down on Osgiliath. Without we ever shy away from. We often fi nd that an incredible eff ort by a lot of dedicated and these investments the team wouldn’t have been the more sombre moments of the fi lms talented people. Everyone involved from the able to do justice to the fi ction, and the vistas end up being the funniest when they are dev teams, to our partners at WB Games, LEGO that they have created are simply stunning. re-imagined in LEGO form. Moreover the Company and Middle-earth Enterprises have inclusion of the voiceovers enhances the collaborated to bring the most authentic, fun, NAG: What prompted the decision to use comedy, giving us the opportunity to twist action-fi lled adventure we could possible make. voiceovers from the fi lms for character the dialogue with ironic eff ect. It’s been a both a privilege and immensely rewarding to see it all come together.
NAG: Who is the biggest Lord of the Rings fan-boy in the offi ce and why? [NR] Whilst there are many Lord of the Rings afi cionados in the offi ce, I guess I’d have to put my hand up and say I’m up there with the biggest ones. I fi rst read The Lord of the Rings after watching the original animated adaptation, and have been hooked ever since. What I enjoyed about them was the depth and timelessness of the universe in which it was set. The fact that wars have been fought and kingdoms have risen and fallen, in just the 3rd Age, really gripped me and led me to read on with the Tolkien’s other novels. All of them fed back into this epic continuum, and I’ve never read anything since that really had that same degree of heritage.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 49 / PREVIEWS /
DETAILS Release date Q1/Q2 2013 Platforms PC Genre Real-time strategy Developer Relic Website www. companyofheroes. com Publisher Company of Heroes 2 HANDS ON THQ Who left the fridge open?
he Company of Heroes franchise is be completing multiple objectives during the real-time strategy series with the missions or vying for control of the numerous Thighest ratings of all time. Originally resource points to devalue your opposition’s released in 2006, the fi rst Company of ticket count. There are, however, a number Heroes became the most critically acclaimed of improvements and additional gameplay PC game of that year. The game’s two mechanics that make Company of Heroes 2 a expansions, Opposing Fronts and Tales of very diff erent beast. Valor, released in 2007 and 2009 respectively. For a start, there’s the weather. Relic has Both were extremely well received by fans developed something that they’ve dubbed and critics alike. Now, more than six years and trademarked “ColdTech”. This new after Company of Heroes debuted, developer addition to the Essence Engine (which is Relic is bringing us a sequel. now running on version 3.0) governs the Company of Heroes 2 sees you taking entire game’s weather and how units react charge of the Russian army during World to it. On a purely visual level the system War II. As such, the game takes place on the is rather stunning with sunlight glinting eastern front while off the surface of German forces are A further addition is frozen lakes, tank invading the Soviet tracks turning snow motherland. To date, one that’s practically into churned-up this theatre of war revolutionised the fog-of- slush, and blizzards remains the bloodiest obscuring the of any confl ict, with war mechanic found in real- battlefi eld. It also casualties from both time strategy games. Relic is sounds excellent as sides mounting into calling it “True Sight”. wind howls across the tens of millions. the maps, obscuring It wasn’t only the troop chatter. fi ghting that caused the casualties; it was the weather as well, with temperatures dropping as low as -40° Celsius. NAG recently got the chance to partake in the fi rst ever hands-on event for Company of Heroes 2, and what we played did a fantastic job of reminding us exactly why this series holds the RTS crown. A number of series staples make a return: you still need Fuel, Ammunition and Manpower in order to recruit troops and vehicles and build your base; you’ll still
The Battles of Rzhev were a series of skirmishes fought in and around the Russian town of Rzhev. The battles have earned the nickname “Rzhev Meat Grinder” because of the massive casualties sustained by Russian and German forces. Some of the missions in Company of Heroes 2 will follow these historical battles.
50 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Company of Heroes 2
The weather does, however, make things much more diffi cult. Every single unit move needs to take an additional factor into consideration: will troops die of hypothermia before they reach their target? During our hands-on time, dozens of our men succumbed to winter’s icy grip. We lost three very expensive Katyusha Rocket Trucks because the enemy shot the ice around our vehicles as we tried to push across a river and into opposing territory; the ice cracked and our vehicles sank to the frigid depths below. Some of these elements can obviously be used to your advantage, but during our hands-on we couldn’t help but Before World War II, feel as if the amount of time your troops Rzhev had 56, 000 have before exposure kills them is a little too civilians. After the war low. Basically, it’s now a necessity to have a ended, there were only 150 civilians left alive.
unit of combat engineers moving with your this RTS franchise. Relic has included minor troops so that they can build fi re pits if you additions as well, like the ability for your men happen to be in an area without structures to vault over obstacles, which makes the to shelter inside. You’re essentially fi ghting scramble for cover that much more intuitive. two opponents in Company of Heroes 2: the Your men can now hop over a wall instead of Nazis and winter. having to run along it to reach its end before A further addition is one that’s practically being able to access the other side to hide revolutionised the fog-of-war mechanic found behind. Vehicles can also be abandoned, in real-time strategy games. Relic is calling which means you might, on occasion, get it “True Sight” and it’s one of the main bullet lucky and end up killing the men inside an point features for Company of Heroes 2. Those enemy tank instead of blowing it up. You’ll who have played Warhammer 40, 000: Dawn then have a free tank to commandeer. of War II would have encountered what could Then there are the cosmetic additions like be considered the roots of True Sight, but for propagating fi res. Fire spreads and buildings Company of Heroes 2, line-of-sight will add a gradually burn to the ground. This presents new layer to your strategy. Your units don’t have a catch-22: fl amethrowers are the easiest the typical RTS, 360° fi eld of vision; now they way to get enemy troops out of garrisoned only see what’s in front of them and in their fi eld buildings, but don’t expect to be able to of view. If there’s an enemy tank sitting around use that building, seeing as it’s now slowly the corner of a house, you won’t see it until your burning to the ground. troops have rounded that corner and come face- The exciting thing is that all of these to-face with it. Even calling in an IL-2 Sturmovik new features will force you to rethink your attack plane for a strafi ng run resulted in the approach to Company of Heroes. It seems fog-of-war being lifted depending on which as if we’re in for a sequel that tweaks core direction the plane was fl ying. gameplay mechanics, rather than one that Two fancy mechanics with trademarked simply adds more fl uff and padding before names aren’t the only new additions that slapping a “2” on the cover. promise to change the way we approach - Mikit0707
www.nag.co.za November 2012 51 / REVIEWS / REVIEWSINTRO People usually feel up fresh produce to determine ripeness – this is what we found at the bottom of the fruit stand… right at the bottom.. Meet your reviewers. Name the best gaming event/function/launch/expo/thing you’ve ever been to and why that particular one was so special to you.
RedTide Miktar Azimuth Mikit0707 GeometriX Barkskin Defi nitely the fi rst rAge 2002. It was the rAge, obviously. It’s so The Assassin’s Creed My fi rst time at This isn’t gaming time I went to E3. largest gaming event cool, and awesome, III reveal in London. Gamescom. There’s related but my best trip That trip laid the since the 1000-man and... cool. And rad. I love the series and simply no comparison was going to Ireland foundation for what LAN, and everything And stuff . Everybody this was its world in terms of the sheer for the crochet blanket rAge is today. Another just came together should go. (What was premiere. Also, size of the expo, and knit off festival. I’m highlight was going perfectly. All my friends my endorsement fee Ubisoft’s PR people so much is hands-on. into much older ladies to Bahrain for the were there, the game again, Michael?) are frighteningly so I was in heaven. My Formula 1 Grand Prix releases were huge organised with events cheeks haven’t ached (thanks Intel). Lobster and hype. And since it like these. like that since… Love for breakfast was was the fi rst rAge, it’ll you Ethel. interesting. always be special.
MINIREVIEWS Kinda like regular reviews, only bite-sized and with less of those pesky words.
KINGDOM HEARTS 3D: DREAM DROP DISTANCE The Kingdom Hearts franchise stands as testament to the fact that two diff erent universes (Disney and Final Fantasy) can successfully be mixed to form a popular series of games. And this series has made its way to the 3DS with the peculiarly titled Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. It revisits earlier plot lines by making use of the original characters, but it adds some great new ideas. The fi rst is a new “Flowmotion” combat system that uses the environment and allows for a steady stream of fi ghting, once you get used to the controls. It’s pretty unique for a JRPG, and can be great fun. The second is the idea of dropping; the game will, at predetermined times, pull the player out of one character’s story line and throw them into the other. This predetermination is literally time-based; you may be in the middle of a heated combat, and the game will yank you away. It’s disconcerting at fi rst, but it adds a feel of cohesion between the two story lines, almost like brisk editing in a movie. Dream Drop Distance is a great addition to the series, and a game that appreciators of a deep story 79 line will enjoy.
52 November 2012 www.nag.co.za “Tomorrow REVIEWSCORESGUIDELINE This game is broken. Even if you get it to run, 1-39 playing it is a painful experience that you wouldn’t I’m going to fart wish upon your worst enemy.
It barely functions, but there’s little real game candy fl oss” 40-49 here. Maybe you’d play it for a bit if you got it for free, but it’s not something you’d recommend to friends. - Jacqui Acceptable, but nothing special. It’s generic 50-59 or uninspired, but playable, and might be worth spending some time hunting for achievements.
Now we’re getting somewhere. This game 60-69 has something interesting about it, and fans of the genre or series should enjoy it, but something signifi cant holds back this game from greatness.
This game is very good. Anyone who enjoys 70-79 this type of game will have a great time and Ramjet SAVAGE ShockG could fi nish it without too much aggravation. It shows care and E3 2006. It was the E3 2012, because it rAge 2006, Xbox 360 polish, but falls short in a number of areas. last E3 I managed to was f****** E3! And was new and at the go to, so the memory also America yay: time it was next gen An excellent game; one that you’d happily keeps me going until root beer, burgers, console gaming. 80-89 play through multiple times and recommend the next time. Why pizzas and dinosaur Probably the most to friends. It adds interesting, if imperfect, advancements to the was it awesome? museums. important thing that genre or series. Stupid question... year in all of gaming and it was at rAge as As close to perfection as possible. This well. Epic! 90-100 game is highly innovative; it has incredible visuals; it plays like a dream and you can’t get enough of it. You have to look for faults just to avoid giving it a perfect score.
home_coded Inside the South African indie developmentment industryindustry…… Celestial Games Website: www.celestial-games.com oke around the local game development scene and you’ll struggle to fi nd anyone P as passionate, as driven, as crazy, and (perhaps most importantly) as industry-savvy as Travis Bulford, founder of Celestial Games. If you’ve been doing this gaming thing for long enough you might remember the name; they put together the caff eine-fuelled Toxic Bunny in 1996 and a lesser-known action RPG called The Tainted in 1999. Then Celestial sort-of disappeared. Now they’re back. Packing an HD remake of Toxic Bunny and a barrelful of ideas to get the local game development industry up to the level it ought to be, Celestial is determined to stay in the saddle for as long as it takes to produce the games they want to (including a list to keep them busy for at least the next few years), and raise the stature of game the largest electronic entertainment industry development in the eyes of local businesses. in the world?” he asks. Bulford points out that there’s still a Truer words were never spoken, and we’re perception in the country that games aren’t excited to see the renewal of a beloved local worth investing in, unlike fi lm and music game and its makers. The future awaits! which has seen substantial growth over the years. “Where is the fi nancial investment and If you have an established local game development company or project support to help South Africa get a footprint in and would like to be featured in NAG, send an email to [email protected]
www.nag.co.zawww.nag.co.za NNovemberovember 20122012 53 / REVIEWS /
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Humanity’s last hope returns
et’s be clear on one thing: XCOM could not be brought actions simply happen automatically as your units move to DETAILS to today’s market as a pure clone of the original. It’s not the positions you send them to. The result is combat that Platforms that customers wouldn’t reward such a game; it’s that feels fl uid, fast and engaging yet somewhat stifl ing in the L 360 / PC / PS3 Firaxis has made it their goal to deliver a product that doesn’t early game, although it is still fi lled with all of the tension Genre just suit the hardcore veterans but the masses as well, and suspense of the old titles. Tactical strategy without dumbing it down. The team at Firaxis has made a lot Between those terrifying experiences out on the fi eld game of changes to the original formula, but everything in XCOM you’ll manage your home base, chosen from one of fi ve Age restriction has been designed with a holistic approach and fi ts together sites around the world. Unlike the original X-COM, you’ll 18 as though it was always meant to be. manage just a single base of operations but you can Multiplayer If I thought it would make anyone happy, I’d list all the deploy aircraft to hangars stationed around the globe for Local features that XCOM does or doesn’t have compared to increased response times. There’s plenty to do at home None the original but then some crazed fl annel-wearing ‘90s base, including the management of troops and loadouts, Online enthusiast would take it all out of context, but I will point assigning research and engineering projects, maintaining 2 players out a few noteworthy changes. The most obvious is the positive relationships with world leaders and expanding Developer shift from action points to a two-phase system used in your premises to accommodate new technologies as Firaxis Games combat. When your soldiers are out on the fi eld they can they’re researched. Website move and/or shoot depending on their class, equipped It’s at your home base that the management side of XCOM www.xcom.com weapon and the perks you’ve chosen for them as they reveals itself as one of the greatest improvements over the Publisher gained experience levels. Early in the game, this simple original, and it’s also where most of the game’s story is told. 2K Games system feels very limiting, but as they gain perks they also While there is a linear, driven story for you to get through, Distributor gain fl exibility in combat, like the chance to quickly evade it pokes its head in so patiently that you’re free to go about Megarom enemy fi re, take free reaction shots, shoot multiple times your business and only engage when it suits you. Outside of per turn or cover large amounts of ground to rush to the a few key story missions, the details of the aliens, their plans aid of a dying ally. But a consequence of this simplifi cation and their origins become known to you through researching is that movement is ultimately less complex than some both living and dead extraterrestrial specimens (the former may like. There are no options to crouch, go prone change being quite a challenge to catch). As you’d expect of a direction, take cover, or vault over an obstacle –these game that tries to straddle the line between hardcore and
2
1
SEE JOHN RUN 1 The game includes a heavily guided tutorial that introduces The closest thing that XCOM hasas pplalayersye to the complexities of turn-based tactics. But more to a real issue is the camera andd thanthan that, it serves as an example of how linear and scripted how it copes with the action- XCOM could’ve been, which it absolutely isn’t. What we’ve driven sequences. It’s buggy, seen of the game’s demo shows otherwise, though, but don’t and is prone to clipping, slow- be putpu off if it creates the wrong impression. downs, missing the action entirelyrely or failing to hide pieces of the 2 As youy crank up the diffi culty levels, the aliens become not environment that obscure the onlyonly smarter in combat but their entire invasion picks up pace. gameplay. Thankfully, the actionon It becomesbec dangerously easy to fall behind on the macro camera can be disabled, but thee level;level; knowing where and when to deploy your troops, aircraft replacement version doesn’t farere and oobservation satellites to balance international panic and much better. fi nancialnan aid is crucial.
54 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS You wouldn’t expect it, but XCOM includes a multiplayer off ering that 3 feels surprisingly suitable. There’s just one game mode, deathmatch, which pits two players against each other, each with a custom team of up to six units made up of a mix of XCOM operatives and aliens. Each unit is worth a defi ned number of points, and players can choose to set the points limit per team or leave the lid off for a battle of the all-powerful. Games are played out in a number of maps built for a balanced multiplayer experience, and feel reminiscent of a small version of “Between those terrifying experiences out on the Warhammer, or any number of tactics games like Ogre Tactics and fi eld you’ll manage your home base, chosen from Front Mission. The multiplayer mode works well, but there’s room for one of fi ve sites around the world.” expansion over here.
accessible, the back-story is only there for those who care to read it, but if you do take the time to do so you’ll be rewarded with a richly-detailed narrative environment and a real sense of place in the game.
HURT ME PLENTY 4 XCOM is a game about balance: knowing you don’t have it, hunting it down, clinging to it for dear life and losing it. Striving for balance is the source of those “XCOM moments” you fi nd yourself in, when you spent your precious few remaining credits on a plasma sniper rifl e only to lose your last sniper to a heavy’s panicked fi re, or when you skirt through a mission with a rookie near death and the closest thing to a sense of accomplishment you’ve felt in hours. There are four diffi culty ratings: easy is for newcomers; medium off ers the “challenging, but fair” approach that sometimes surprises you with its moments both good and bad; classic mode is there for the masochists who want to feel like they’re always a step behind the alien invasion; and impossible mode is best not spoken about without the presence of a licensed psychiatrist. To top them off , there’s an optional toggle called Iron Man that sets the game to only use a single autosave, nothing else – no going back on those bad decisions. It’s the best way to play, and we recommend that once you’ve found your feet on your fi rst play-through, start up another game with Iron Man enabled for the true XCOM experience. - GeometriX
XCOM is both a remake and a game that can 3 Every action you make in combat can have lasting stand on its own merits. So much has changed repercussions. Alien weapons, fragments and alloys are from the original, but it still manages to recreate gathered after many engagements and are the key to a strong 90 many of the nuances that gave the old game its research and engineering pipeline; explosives make for easy charm. Some will claim that there are too many damage in the fi eld but render many artefacts useless to your casualties in the quest for accessibility, but the fi nal package team back at the base. is one that knows exactly what it is, and does a fantastic job of it. 4 Each map in the game is designed by hand, which means there are no more randomly-generated levels. However, the PLUS engagements themselves are randomly assigned which means you’re unlikely to see all of the available maps in a single Well-balanced redesign of classic systems / Plenty of play-through. Additionally, alien placement in the maps is replayability / Multiplayer mode is a good fi t determined at random. MINUS Buggy camera / Combat is too limiting in early game
56 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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Torchlight II Just you, your pet, your friends, and endless fi elds of loot-based organisms...
he fi rst Torchlight, while being an indie tribute to DETAILS the original Diablo, still managed to feel like its own Platforms game. By taking place in a single stratifi ed dungeon, T PC it had a very “arcade” feel, with an emphasis on making Genre you feel powerful and useful right from the start. There Action role- was enough variety in the weapons and enemies to keep playing game you interested, but with a small enough scope to allow Age restriction 1 for ever-refi ned runs down to the depths. The retirement 12 system meant you could roll your own legacy, complete Multiplayer with an ever-improving heirloom weapon or armour, Local adding notches to your lineage every night if you played None hard and fast. It was lonely, with no multiplayer, but user- Online created mods that streamlined things and an ever-faithful 6 players mutating pet could suffi ce. Developer In contrast, Torchlight II feels too self-aware of its Runic Games positioning as “the alternative to Diablo III”. It’s too aware Website of its status of being the David to Diablo III’s Goliath, thus www.torchligh aiming to “beat” Diablo III directly in two areas it knows 2game.com the competition has trouble: features and pricing. That Publisher said, Torchlight II may sacrifi ce too much of its own style Perfect in an attempt to ensure a certain laundry list of features. WorldRunic It feels like Runic fell into the trap of thinking that people Games appreciated Torchlight for being “the little Diablo”, and Distributor so focused too much on making sure Torchlight II hit 1 It looks like a Diablo game took a cartoon pill and then spat Steam / TBC all those Diablo II notes. Even so, while it may not be a out goofi er monsters. locally unique medley, there’s no denying Runic plays the tune 2 The classes are unique and interesting and diff erent. So much eff ortlessly. soso ththatat fforor a cchangehange you wonwon’t’t iimmediatelymmediately fi nndd a ffavourite.avourite. Some elements of Runic’s own thinking on the genre does shine through, like the refi ned pet system. The idea of
2
58 November 2012 www.nag.co.za TorchlightTorchlight II
having a pet that fi ghts with you, and is well-trained enough to handle selling your junk in town, isn’t new. You can fi nd the system wholesale in WildTangent’s Fate, which precedes Torchlight by almost half a decade. It’s no surprise though, since Fate was designed by the same person who went on to design Torchlight. For the sequel, your pet has learned a new trick: reading a shopping list. You can specify up to four consumables, like town portal scrolls and mana potions that the pet should bring back from town if you send it off to sell the junk you packed in its trunk. It’s a small thing, but small things add up over time. Four new character classes replace the original three, and each has its own “system” bar that fi lls up when damaging enemies. The Engineer uses heavy steampunk- themed weapons, which get powered up when your bar is full. The Berserker uses animal-themed special powers and super-punchy-fi st action, and gets all critical hits for a while when their bar is full. The Embermage casts spells and gets 12 seconds to cast spells free of charge when their special bar is full. Lastly, the Outlander uses ranged weapons and tribal magic, getting improved dodge and
Four new character classes replace the critical chance when their bar fi lls up. All classes can use all weapon types, for the most part, though you will fi nd original three, and each has its own “system” some items with class-restricting affi xes. Where Torchlight took place in, well, the town of bar that fi lls up when damaging enemies Torchlight, the sequel starts by destroying that town, not just symbolically. The cute and vapid plot (one of the three original classes from the fi rst game goes nuts, powers up and starts sucking the life-force from very important guardian animals) acts as barely suffi cient scaff olding to support your reason for going from place to place. Not that we need a reason: the world is made of loot. The game spans across four acts, following the overly conventional structure of grassy-mountains, desert, forest-swamp and
Read this in a sad voice: “It’s more of the same.” Now read this in a happy voice: “It’s more of 75 the same!” That’s Torchlight II in a nutshell: it’s everything we know and love of the genre, executed fl awlessly, and little else. That’s either awesome, or it’s not, depending on you.
PLUS Matt Uelmen’s music is still wonderful / Plenty of content Can be played offl ine / Has LAN play
MINUS Run speed too damn high / Insta-death mobs / Follows the Diablo II template too religiously / Another desert act…
www.nag.co.za November 2012 59 / REVIEWS /
F1 2012 Almost there; F1 racing at its fi nest
nlike any other kind of game, racing simulators are measured by how true to life they are by individuals U who have never experienced actual racing [same thing can be said about shooting zombies with a shotgun, Ed]. What essentially happens then is that the developer must cater for or at least satisfy the theoretical knowledge players have about the sport, while at the same time making sure there is some actual parity between the game and the discipline. As such, the third instalment in the series from Codemasters attempts to navigate its way through this in the most inconsistent way since the series started. Gone are the player interviews, team busses and such. Not losses at all as these were distractions more than anything else. Instead virtually everything is text-based apart from the track previews and info pages where you are guided through a single lap of the track with advice on car setup, gearing and car placement. Graphically, the game is superb; if you can forgive the embarrassingly low resolution textures in some places, the game looks solid with more natural rendering of outdoor environments, better lighting and notably improved track detail; F1 2012 is amongst the best looking racing simulators on any platform. A mixed bag then, much like car handling which is supposedly improved, and for the most part it is. Of note is tyre wear, which is unusual to say the least. On some tracks it’s predictable, but on others it’s rather annoying The forest in the background has lung cancer because the fall off in grip is much steeper than it should be. Tyres that are supposed to last 16 laps are all but worn out by lap four and given that the minimum race distance is 25%, DETAILS you’ll be two-stopping in a race where all the others cars Platforms have one stop to make. 360 / iOS There are other bugs in the game as well, where your team PC / PS3 engineer insists that you’re holding a position that you are Genre clearly not and this is particularly in the drivers’ championship Racing simulator screen where you’ll be told for instance that you’re still Age restriction 8th as opposed to 17th which is your actual position. Race 3 expectations are also very unreasonable, where your qualifying Multiplayer position exclusively determines where your expected fi nishing Local position should be on race day. A tall order, if by some chance 2 players your HRT car managed to deliver a mundane lap when it was Online dry but most of the other cars were out when it was raining, None hence the slower lap times. Developer In such a situation, your expected fi nishing position would Codemasters always be above where you qualifi ed, which is impossible in an Website HRT and subsequently you’ll fail weekend targets. www. With Codemasters, it seems they keep taking two steps codemasters. forward and one step back, F1 2012 is good, but just not as com good as it should have been. Publisher - ShockG Codemasters Distributor Megarom
F1 2012 is the most polished version of the title since inception, but one can’t help but 80 feel it’s getting very repetitive and lacking in real improvements over the previous titles. F1 2012 still remains the best F1 simulator around however despite its problems.
PLUS Great car modelling / Improved driving dynamic Presentation
MINUS Annoying bugs / Not necessarily better than F1 2011
60 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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PES 2013 That’s better!
he Pro Evolution Soccer franchise has had a hard run of things for a while now. Once it was a solid Tcompetitor, but certain direction changes managed to lay it low in its on-going competition with EA’s football franchise. For a number of years, PES has felt a little directionless at best and a little desperate at worst. With the release of PES 2013, things seem a little diff erent. Over the previous two releases, the developers of this popular franchise have added some great new ideas (although the implementation of those ideas may not have been ideal). Now, those elements of the game dynamic are being merged and tweaked, creating an experience that feels more level and reasonable. But PES is not really moving into the fi eld of super- realistic sports simulation. It seems as though the developers know that EA has this market more or less sewn up, and don’t want to try take the giant FIFA on these terms. Rather, PES 2013 treads a balanced middle ground between simulation and arcade action, carving its own niche as a result. Another area in which PES doesn’t challenge FIFA, but rather follows its own path, is in the on-fi eld play itself. While FIFA tends towards a team experience, PES makes the whole thing about the player who has the ball at the time. Sure, the team AI will still be trying to get those all-important goals, but the overall control scheme allows the player to focus on the moment. This is not done at the expense of strategy; rather it adds an over-the-top fl air to the title that some may fi nd very appealing. Jumping in and just going for it is still an option with this latest iteration, but the clever player will go through
tutorials and take the time to master the nuanced moves DETAILS that PES 2013 has on off er. These really are an edge, particularly in player vs. player games. The player that has Platforms the better grasp of the way the controls work will most 360 / 3DS / PC certainly dominate, and look better doing so. PS2 / PS3 / Wii This includes the precision ball control that PES 2013 Genre has on off er. Once you have the controls down, you will be Sports able to put the ball pretty much anywhere that you want it Age restriction to go (within realistic limits, of course). Team members can 3 also be guided more than before, allowing the player to Multiplayer pull off some really spectacular tactics. Local On the whole, fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief 7 players when they tackle PES 2013. Sure, the game still has some Online issues and quirks (not least of which is the still-overly- 4 players whistle-happy referee). But, as an overall game, PES 2013 Developer off ers a much better experience than we have seen in a Konami few years from the franchise. Website - Ramjet www.konami- europe.com/ games Publisher The best off ering in a few years, PES 2013 refi nes Konami elements of the previous two titles. Distributor 82 Ster Kinekor
PLUS Improved ideas / Best version in a few years
MINUS Twitchy ref / Sometimes complex controls
62 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
FIFA 13 Refi nement MUST PLAY
he FIFA franchise seems to go through development phases. There are years when major Tinnovations take place and there are years when the changes seem less prominent. But it is these years in which the game becomes more refi ned, and stages for further advancement are set. Even if it didn’t seem like it to some, last’s year’s FIFA game was one in which some major changes were implemented. Improved ball control, collision mechanics and similar concepts were added to FIFA 12, making it an even more challenging virtual football experience. This time around – with FIFA 13 – those changes have been refi ned, with tweaks that make the game feel more real than ever. Part of the realism of football, though, is chaos. Yes, there are footballers out there who are immensely skilled, but Control. The player needs to exercise more skill now, with DETAILS even the most brilliant player can make mistakes – and less predictable ball dynamics meaning that steaming full these mistakes become more prevalent in FIFA 13. The speed into a pass may not necessarily be a great idea. Platforms result is a game that is potentially more frustrating, but also The result, though, is that the game becomes more 360 / 3DS / PC more realistic. hardcore… this idea removes a degree of accessibility from PS2 / PS3 / PSP A large part of this comes from the refi ned First Touch the game, which may lead to some frustration for less PS Vita / Wii / Wii U experienced players. Yet, even with this idea in mind, it is Genre a massive improvement in terms of FIFA 13 representing a Sports soccer match that feels like the real thing. Age restriction Some tweaks, though, have lessened the chaos and 3 oddities of the previous title. The physicality of players has Multiplayer been tweaked, meaning that a collision of bodies is less Local likely to result in bizarre (and often comical) consequences. 7 players The game has also added more dribbling control, using Online mechanics derived from last year’s FIFA Street. It takes some 22 players getting used to, but the clever player will now be able to use Developer improved ball handling skills to make a diff erence. EA Sports While last year saw a major tweak to the defensive AI, this Website year sees a big improvement to attacking play. That means fi fa.easports.com that the player will be able to make use of far more reliable Publisher team tactics. AI players will move more intelligently, setting Electronic Arts up for potential attacking manoeuvres far more eff ectively Distributor than before. EA South Africa Motion controls have been added too; the Kinect implementation allows the player to use voice control while playing, which enables them to be a manager as well as player. Voice commands can be used to change tactics, make substitutions and more. The PlayStation Move, though, is less well implemented. It requires the player to point the wand at the screen to control where the ball ends up and manage player movements. It takes some getting used to, to say the least. On the whole, this is a great new iteration of the franchise… this year; once again, we can say that this is probably the best FIFA title yet. It’s my turn to dive next! - Ramjet
It’s a tweak year for the FIFA franchise, but the improved ball dynamics and control systems 88 make it an awesome addition to the series.
PLUS Awesome tweaks / Improved attacking AI / Ball control
MINUS A little more chaotic / Less accessible than before
64 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 MUSTST PLAY Rave War picks up the beat
ekken Tag Tournament 2’s opening cinematic begins with a huge glowing man in the backseat of T a limousine. “Good evening sir. Where to?” asks the driver. “Can’t you tell where?” says the supernatural bruiser. “I must unleash this awesome power!” The essence of TTT2 is in this. It’s good to be reminded that it’s okay for a fi ghting game to be a fi ghting game. It feels weird to say but the contemporary emphasis for the genre has shifted to accessibility: leave no gamer behind. Make sure there’s more to the package than just fi ghting. A sequel eleven years in the making, TTT2 dispenses with attempts to shoehorn in “value added game modes” from past editions of Tekken. Gone is the side scrolling Tekken Force, the improbably named Scenario Campaign Mode from Tekken 6. TTT2 rebuilds the previous entry from the ground up complete with fresh models for a cast of 50+ characters. Over 20 brand new stages. A plethora of tweaks and balance adjustments, and the eponymous tag play which is even optional, as you can select a solo character for 1v1 or 2v1 matchups. Wrap it up in the sparkling presentation of an entertainment sport, and you have the pro wrestling federation for the fi ghting game world. Single-player content does exist, centered primarily on a perfected Ghost Battle mode: fi ght an endless stream of custom characters, with diff erent names, AI fl avours, and strength levels. Win loot every few matches in the form of movies (every character does have a lengthy CG ending), costume parts, and in-game cash. Every time the online menu is accessed, fresh ghosts are automatically downloaded and your own played characters uploaded. Perhaps the single most critical feature of TTT2 is the DETAILS most ubiquitous: it has amazing net code. There was Platforms legitimate cause for concern after Tekken 6’s questionable 360 / PS3 / Wii U online play. Ken Harada, Tekken producer, made much of Genre improving things this time around and playing is believing: Fighting it’s more refi ned than the excellent performance of Namco’s Age restriction own Soul Calibur V; online play for the majority of persons 16 appears superior. Multiplayer Reviewing fi ghters is tough. I’m nothing like a Tekken Local expert; but you can detect a pristine game system when 4 players you see it. Tekken is not easy to learn. TTT2 is no diff erent Online and it is not a beginner’s game. But neither is Tekken obtuse. 4 players Perhaps the fl attest feature is Fight Lab, an attempted story Developer tutorial involving “Combot” the amazing robot. It’s fun, but Namco Bandai doesn’t provide the direction needed. It will get you started, Games but TTT2 is less a game and more of a competitive client. Website It deserves to be recognised that it all comes together as www.tekken. perhaps the best one yet in its class. com - Miktar Publisher Namco Bandai Games Everything Tekken from the past decade rolled Distributor into one, with no defi ciencies. The last fi ghting Megarom 90 game you’ll ever need if you go hardcore. Has a dinosaur with boxing gloves [Nice, Ed].
PLUS More characters than God intended / Online rocks / Catchy soundtrack
MINUS Fight Lab doesn’t cut it / Steep, though reasonable, learning curve
66 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ REVIEWS /
Dead or Alive 5 The jiggles…
he Dead or Alive franchise has – in terms of fi ghting games – always played second fi ddle to names like T Street Fighter, Tekken and Mortal Kombat. But that may change a little with the release of the latest iteration of the franchise; Dead or Alive 5 addresses many of the issues that held it back, resulting in a game that is what it is meant to be… a fi ghting game. Not at the expense of eye-candy, though. Dead or Alive 5 is still crammed with beautiful characters beating up each other in beautiful locations. The characters are modelled better than before, and improved physics and animations add a lot more believability to them. The lady fi ghters still appear to have gyroscopic jelly-fi lled breast implants, though. Someone on the development team really should fi nd out how boobs move naturally. The jiggling doesn’t do too much to distract from the rest of the game, although the overall eff ect of the visuals can almost be overwhelming. The environments, for example, are beautifully handled, believable and, above all, interactive. There will be more than one occasion in which you will send an opponent fl ying into something that smashes or explodes, and the often multi-tiered levels are also enhanced with “cinematic” events that add to the chaos of the matches. Not that the fi ghting is overly chaotic, mind you… Dead or Alive 5 allows the player – regardless of skill level – to engage in huge, strategic fi ghts. This is in part due to the fact that the overall fi ghting system has been tweaked rather nicely. Some of the highly-exploitable moves and ideas from previous iterations have been solidly adjusted. It is more diffi cult for a button-masher to dominate now, and those that learned secret moves that could be exploited in DETAILS never-ending cycles of carnage will have less of an unfair Platforms advantage this time around. Basically, as far as being a This is a fi ghting game, we promise 360 / PS3 fi ghting game, Dead or Alive 5 is very decent, and most Genre certainly the best title the franchise has to off er. Fighting The game does lack in certain areas… some of the Age restriction plot points and situations in the story-mode smack of 16 bad kung fu movies (the kind of “I’m bored, wanna fi ght” Multiplayer ideas that are utterly ridiculous) but, for the most part, Local these can be ignored. Rather, improved controls, excellent 4 players implementation of side stepping – really excellent, in fact Online – and an overall presentation that can be breath-taking at 16 players times combine to form a game that is not only enjoyable, Developer but extremely appealing. Team Ninja Has the red-headed step-child of the fi ghting genre Website fi nally reached a point where it may get some valued teamninja- recognition? Perhaps… That depends on the community, studio.com/ of course, but Team Ninja have made all the right moves teamninja/doa5/ to bring the Dead or Alive franchise to the fore with this Publisher latest instalment. - Ramjet Tecmo Koei Distributor Silverscreen Trading Undoubtedly the best DOA title to date, Dead or Alive 5 concentrates less on eye candy and more 82 on fi ghting.
PLUS Much improved / Awesome visuals
MINUS Some silly plot devices / Ridiculous breast physics
68 November 2012 www.nag.co.za / REVIEWS / / REVIEWS /
The Sims 3: Supernatural Not so magical
he Sims 3 has chugged along for a few years now, releasing expansions from T time to time that have enhanced the game, added new dynamics and provided the players with more to do. The idea behind these expansions is to make the game even more compelling and draw the player further in, with more complexity in the lives of their virtual people. And, for the most part, expansions like Ambitions and World Adventures have done just that. But The Sims 3: Supernatural manages to fail where others have succeeded. Where other expansions DETAILS introduced great new ideas and careers, Platforms Supernatural introduces only one rather PC shallow career path, and adds a lot of chaotic Genre random events that can, quite literally, ruin an Life simulator established game. Age restriction The player will also have the ability to 12 become one of the magical races introduced Multiplayer in the title, but there are limited benefi ts to Local doing this. And those benefi ts aren’t passed None on to off spring, either. You can avoid the Online fetch-and-carry quests that will transform None your character by simply creating one that Developer is a member of a new race, but the problem The Sims Studio persists… they just aren’t all that cool. Maxis Instead of being a great enhancement, Website Supernatural feels more like a bad True Blood www.thesims3. episode, and the demands on the player’s com system don’t help either. Perhaps the next Publisher expansion will make up for the limited fun Electronic Arts this one off ers. Distributor - Ramjet EA South Africa
How women see men
This is the fi rst expansion for The Sims 3 that feels non-essential. It doesn’t do much to enhance the 50 experience.
PLUS New races / Some fun to be had
MINUS Can ruin an established game / System resource heavy / Buggy
www.nag.co.za November 2012 69 / REVIEWS /
1 While the game requires real-time input from your guitar, the feedback is in snippets of pre-recorded audio. This leads to a Rocksmith little bit of aural confusion at fi rst (especially when you only slightly miss a note), but it’s not noticeable once you pick up No more clickety-clack! the pace and start to play all the notes in a song. If you want to hear just your own strumming, there’s a free play mode with any local gamers have been clacking away at plastic customisable amps and pedals with which you can play. guitars since Guitar Hero 2 fi rst launched, but when 2 Rocksmith features a set of mini-games in the form of Rock Band and its drum kit was released, suddenly, M Guitarcade which help you to practise fi nger exercises like players could learn some actual musical ability from playing scales, slides and bends while competing for high scores. a video game. The next evolution was obvious: we needed be able to plug in and play with a real guitar. Well, now we’re at that point – that’s what Rocksmith lets you do: any guitar (or bass, with the downloadable addon) with a pickup is supported; you simply plug it in to your console or PC using the included cable, and away you go. Only instead of pressing plastic buttons as the colours fl y towards you, you’re fretting and strumming real strings. Unlike Guitar Hero, Rock Band and almost every other music 1 game on the market, Rocksmith focuses less on traditional video game elements and more on the idea that it’s a virtual instructor. It’s meant to be played by people of all skill levels, from beginner to pro, and it does a pretty good job at that with its huge selection of lessons on techniques and chords in addition to the 50+ full music tracks. Those music tracks are the star of the show, and can either be played in a progressive career mode which groups together songs of similar challenge levels, or entirely at your own pace from the songs menu. As you play through a track (and most of the technique challenges), the game dynamically scales the diffi culty level to match your performance. This tries to match the method of learning to play a song the traditional way, but it can be a little daunting if you fi nd yourself doing too well and all of a sudden have to deal with a new chord or technique. DETAILS Rocksmith is in desperate need of a function to pause the Platforms game in mid-song and provide a clear view of the upcoming 360 / PC / PS3 chords to give players a chance to prepare ahead of time. And, Genre while there is a feature to pick out and play specifi c phrases Music/rhythm from specifi c songs, the process is far more bulky and time- Age restriction consuming than any methods outside of the gaming scope. 12 What’s worse, you have to keep going back to your controller Multiplayer to navigate the menu; there’s no implementation of the guitar Local input for moving through the user interface. 2 players Technical issues aside, let’s answer the burning question: Online does Rocksmith teach you how to play the guitar? Yes, at a None basic level, but more importantly it sets you on the right track Developer by teaching you the techniques you need to play certain Ubisoft songs and string together plenty of chords to make your own Website sounds. You won’t be able to get on stage and rock out with rocksmith.ubi. a pack of college kids, but once you’ve mastered Rocksmith, com you will be well on your way. From there on out, it’s up to you Publisher to grab a couple of books on the theory, jam with friends, fi nd Ubisoft a human instructor, or buy a copy of Guitar Pro, download Distributor some tablature and keep going down the long road of practice Megarom makes perfect. - GeometriX
Rocksmith is held back from perfection by a few technical issues, but it’s the best real guitar 82 learning experience you can have right now on your gaming console or PC. It’s challenging, 2 exciting and, above all – practical.
PLUS Wide variety of lessons, songs and exercises / Excellent learning tool
MINUS Poorly implemented interface / Practising individual phrases and chords is a sluggish process / Long (and too frequent) loading
70 November 2012 www.nag.co.za / REVIEWS / / REVIEWS /
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants Arrrrh!
s the sort that lack action, adventure DETAILS and intrigue, management games need Platforms Ato have that something special – that 360 / PC / PS3 hook that digs in so surreptitiously you wouldn’t Genre notice, but once it’s got you, you’ll know – it’s Management usually around 3am and you’ve just realised simulation that the sun has set. These games don’t need Age restriction incredible visuals, but what they do need is 12 a well organised user interface to go with Multiplayer compelling gameplay. Bad luck then for Port Local Royale 3 – it has none of those features. None Pirates & Merchants is, as you’d expect, Online about plundering and/or trading throughout 4 players the many towns dotted about the Caribbean Developer during a time when swashes were frequently Gaming Minds buckled and seaside taverns were as much of a Studio place for a brawl as a pint. In addition to single- Website and multiplayer free play modes (with all the www.port- expected sliders to adjust the game world), the royale3.com game off ers up two campaigns: one focused on Publisher trading, and the other on adventuring. But both Kalypso Media serve as little more than elaborate tutorials and Distributor last only a few hours at best, and once you’ve Silverscreen completed the pleasant but otherwise inane Trading story of each, it simply converts to free-play mode anyway. While the act of trading and the mechanisms that drive this part of the game are solid enough, the other associated activities of upgrading towns and dealing with national politics are less well-formed. The pirating side is a similar mixed bag: naval combat is fun, but attacking ports is simply a matter of steamrolling with superior numbers instead of requiring any form of tactical thinking. - GeometriX
Most players will ultimately play somewhere in the middle of Port Royale 3’s off ering, and if you do so, 55 you’ll be able to keep yourself entertained for a few hours with the game’s fi ner points; past that, there’s not enough depth to the management aspects to keep one coming back for much longer.
PLUS It’s fun for a bit / Naval combat is entertaining
MINUS Bulky user interface / Few overall tactical challenges / Management aspects lack depth / Dated visuals
www.nag.co.za November 2012 71 Bits and bobs that can all be fi led under gaming lifestyle
ADVENTURE TIME: FINN 10” SUPER POSEABLE FIGURE
If you’re not familiar with mounted inside his head, a busted- Adventure Time, you’re probably up sword and a big ol’ green on the safer side of sanity, but for backpack (which we couldn’t fi gure those who have become lost to out how to fi t, but we’re sure you’ll this terrifyingly hilarious cartoon, manage because you’re probably a this is just what you need to show lot smarter than us). your love. This deluxe version of Supplier: Animeworx Finn has interchangeable faces RRP: R380
MAGIC: THEE GATHERING:GATHERING: RETURN TO RAVNICA EXPANSIONION PACKPACK
Just last month we told you about return of the EExilexile mmechanic,ec and M13 – this year’s collection of introduces Populate (a nasty little new core cards for Magic: The ability that will help anyone grow Gathering. Return to Ravnica their armies of tokens to almost is the next expansion for this preposterous scales) as well as popular card game and can be Overload – a menacing ability yours in the form of themed, that can turn innocent and cheap dual-element intro packs (each spells into game-changers. includes two boosters and playing Supplier: Blowfi sh Entertainment instructions), booster packs and RRP: R189.95 (intro packs); a “fat pack”, for a total of 274 R49.95 (booster packs); cards. This new edition sees a R499.95 (fat packs)
PORTAL 2: POTATOS SCIENCE KIT Potatoes are power! Plug this to combine your love of starchy DIY spud-powered GladOS kit tubers with sarcastic AI, you won’t into any real, actual potato and fi nd a better one that this. witness it come to life. If you’ve Supplier: Animeworx been looking for an opportunity RRP: R345
72 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE Everything Else
FEAR ITSELF STAR WARS: BOBA FETT Avengers! Nazis! Bright 1/10 VINYL KIT colours! Punchy text! It’s (CLOUD CITY VER.) a big fat trade paperback about superheroes and Presumably the Sarlacc Pit supervillains, expertly version is such a disgusting mess illustrated by Stuart of digested meat and guts that Immonen and written nobody would buy it. Or they’re by Matt Fraction to the just trying to split up versions level that you’d expect of Boba Fett to make more from Marvel. money. He is cloned… so we’ll Supplier: Animeworx buy it on that basis. It’s a RRP: R320 model kit because you have to build it which involved pushing arms and his head into place. There’s even a set of instructions and two extra arms inside the overly large box. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R735
BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY Fill in those narrative gaps between Arkham Asylum and Arkham City with this trade paperback from writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Illustrated Series) and illustrator Carlos D’anda (Deathblow). The story follows Bats’ degradation from hero to outlaw and introduces readers to the transition of the infamous asylum to the practically free society that it becomes. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R180
THEMED SKELANIMALS Just when you thought these undead plushies couldn’t get any more adorable, they’ve started playing dress-up as characters from the Toynami, Warner and DC stables. Supplier: Animeworx RRP: R465 (full-size); R170 (clip-ons)
www.nag.co.zawww.nag.cocoo.zazza NNovemberovember 20122012 7373 / HARDWARE /
DREAMMACHINE A new headset and the fastest SSD money can buy right now. All these come together in this issue to make an already great machine, that much closer to perfection. The price is high, but the gaming experience unparalleled.
PSU NEW Cooler Master Silent Pro GRAPHICS OS DRIVE M2 1500Watt PSU GIGABYTE GV-N680SO-2GD Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB R3,300 / www.coolermaster.com R7,329 / www.gigabyte.com R2,499 / www.corsair.com
STORAGE DRIVE CHASSIS DISPLAY Seagate Barracuda 3TB Cooler Master COSMOS II ASUS VG278H 3D Monitor R1,799 / www.seagate.com R3,399 / www.coolermaster.com R8,999 / za.asus.com
KEYBOARD GIGABYTE Aivia Osmium MOUSE MOUSE MAT Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Roccat Kone [+] Roccat Alumic R1,299 / www.gigabyte.com R899 / www.roccat.org R319 / www.roccat.org
HEADPHONES NEW SOUND SPEAKERS Creative Labs Sound Asus Xonar Essence STX Logitech Z-5500 Digital Blaster Recon3D Omega R1,399 / za.asus.com R3,699 / www.logitech.com R2,995/ www.creativelabs.com
74 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Hardwired Technology and you
There aren’t many ways in which technology progresses in this world. There’s the natural progression of miniaturization and maturity and then there’s the other, more natural force which is the introduction and evolution of technologies from pure Intel necessity and nothing else. As with most things, it’s best if these Intel Core i7 3960X are both present in the technological evolution. R10,499 / www.intel.com Smartphones are a great example of miniaturization. That is ASUS Rampage IV Extreme how we have quad core host CPUs and fairly competent GPUs R4,999 / za.asus.com in our phones. That there’s very little to do with them is a direct consequence of this miniaturization process. It’s true that 16GB quad channel DDR3 2,400 MHz memory R2,199 / www.gskill.com technology allows us to be more innovative and dream grander dreams than before, however that only holds provided that the progress we make in our devices is tethered to our imagination in some meaningful way. In the case of smartphones, or “super phones”, it is not. Simply put, from the days of the fi rst cellular phones, at least GSM phones, we’ve had the same compression and voice quality as we do today. So that’s at least 25 years of cellular technology in the public space that’s not changed in any way. That we still have “Everything in and around the phones has improved other than Intel Dream Machine price: the primary function.“
R58,632 trouble hearing people on our phones sometimes is something that should be concerning to all of us. Imagine if telephone quality improved a little – to 22 KHz with a 16-bit sample rate, for example. That would be signifi cantly better than what we have right now. It doesn’t necessarily have to be these properties, but I use them just to highlight how poor the audio quality we accept on our phones is. Everything in and around the phones has improved other than the primary function. So we’ve essentially ended up with very powerful computers which happen to have telephonic capabilities. On the fl ip side to that, we have surface/touch computing that’s becoming ever more prevalent. This kind of interaction with computing devices is a necessary progression because it’s the most natural way to interact with anything. Be it touch, AMD speech and everything in between, the only thing preventing that kind of interaction was the lack of computing power. Now AMD Phenom II X6 1100T / AMD FX 8150 R2,299 / www.amd.com that we are creeping ever more steadily to terafl op processing in our everyday devices, it’ll only be a matter of time before we have GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD7 a massive convergence between all sensory input, and natural R2,999 / www.gigabyte.com speech interaction. 16GB G.SKILL TridentX F3-2400C10D How simple it will seem will be a direct measure of how far R1,299 / www.gskill.com we’ve come in processing capabilities. This is but one instance of necessity driving technology. With such possibilities our imaginations are once again liberated from the plateau which we fi nd ourselves in presently. Technology is more inspired when it addresses a fundamental problem for humanity or society. Powerful phones work to the exclusion of some, whereas complete sensory input computing and interaction works to the inclusion of most if not everyone. Both are progressions in technology, but underpinned diff erently at a fundamental level. That which should inspire any kind of research or scientifi c endeavor should necessarily be, “How AMD Dream Machine price: would the world be improved if we eliminated this problem or hurdle?” rather than “What can we add to something that already exists?” R41,533 - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za November 2012 75 / HARDWARE /
SANDISK ULTRA FOR ANDROID MICRO SD CARD WITH ADAPTER 8GB TECHNEWS Load your apps, images and, most importantly, games, faster with this high- speed Micro SD card that will fi t into most Android phones and tablets. R110 | www.sandisk.comk.com KNOWYOURTECHNOLOGY
AIFF AIFF is an audio fi le format that was commonly used on Apple Macintosh systems of old. The standard caught traction and is still used today in more professional environments as an alternative to other uncompressed formats such as WAV. AIFF is both a container and fi le format, and as such includes some features like loop point data and musical note samples which can be used by hardware samplers and musical application.
NZXT HUE RGB PCI-X LED CONTROLLER PCI-eXtended is a slightly older expansion standard that Keen to adjust the colour, brightness and pulse speed of the lighting kit inside your was superseded by PCI Express. It operated at speeds case? This 5.25” bay device allows you to ranging from 133 to 533MHz. It was backwards compatible do just that. You can mix and match your colour options, and create eff ects such with the still present PCI system, so it was parallel in as fading and pulsating. Includes a 2m LED strip nature. The standard did not gain ground when introduced R499 | www.evetech.co.za in 1998 and subsequently saw its demise in 2004 when PCI Express offered not only simpler logic, but significantly more bandwidth.
PROM Programmable Read-Only Memory is a type of ROM that is programmed after the memory is constructed. PROM chips are used in cell phones, video game consoles, RFID tags, medical devices and other electronics. A standard PROM can only be programmed once, as PROMs are manufactured using fuses which are burned to program a specifi c binary pattern. While this is a one time process, there are other PROMs that DID YOU KNOW? do allow rewriting like EPROMs. Ever wonder what it takes to setup the NAG LAN @ rAge? The SAS infrastructure for this year’s LAN Serial Attached SCSI is a communication protocol used to consisted of the following … move data to and from computer storage devices such as • 35 km network cable hard drives and tape drives. SAS is a point-to-point serial • 2,580 gamer network points • 5,300 power outlets protocol that replaces the parallel SCSI bus technology but it • 1,500 tables uses the standard SCSI command set. SAS off ers backwards- • 2,600 chairs • 100 switches compatibility with second-generation SATA drives so drives • Multiple 8 port gigabit trunks may be connected to SAS backplanes but SAS drives may not • 10G fi bre links • 5 days to setup be connected to SATA backplanes. • 1 day to break down
76 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Tech news
COOLERMASTER ROC MACBOOK PRO AND IPAD STAND Want to watch movies on your iPad without holding it up? The cross-slit design of the ROC Mosh Pit stand allows for easy display of many of your Apple devices. Available in black or white. R449 | www.coolermaster.com
ADATA DASHDRIVE ELITE HE720 500GB Measuring a mere 8.9mm thick and covered in a stylish brushed stainless steel casing, this 500GB drive supports both USB 2.0 and 3.0. R908 | www.titan-ice.co.za
ECS EZ BUN Simply plug the Ez BUN into your phone and enjoy crystal clear audio through the built-in stereo speakers and omnidirectional microphone. Works with virtually every phone and also doubles as a portable speaker. R999 | www.ecs.com.tw
“At Dell, we listen to customers, value their feedback, and adapt our approach based on these needs. Meeting our # 40 Mbps customers’ needs has always been Dell’s priority - since its inception in 1984. The feedback from customers suggested BY THE NUMBERS a need for more options and variety of the Alienware brand Telkom Internet is currently doing a high speed broadband pilot programme. available in South Africa, so that users can select the unit that Broadband speeds of up to 40 Mbps will meets both their needs and their pockets. Therefore, I am be tested in the pilot where Telkom has deployed new generation access network proud to announce the launch of www.alienware.co.za.” kits in fi ve areas of three provinces in South Gavin Slevin, Dell South Africa Africa: Benmore Gardens, Fourways and Waterkloof in Gauteng; Durban North in and developing countries retail manager Kwa-Zulu Natal and Durbanville in the Western Cape. The trial takes place from now until end of January 2013.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 77 / HARDWARE / The lazy gamer’s guide
Tt eSports Level 10M Gaming Mouse
Website www.corex.co.za RRP R1,199
There’s no shortage of fancy-looking, wallet- punching, high-performing gaming mice on the market, but with so many dedicated peripheral manufacturers like Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Mad Catz and Roccat, we’re still not entirely sure why Thermaltake has been so keen to take on this intensely competitive industry. Their previous off erings have been decent enough, and sometimes a little weird (we’re looking at you, Cyclone), but the Level 10M is obviously Tt’s way of saying “step aside, sissies, let a real man show you how it’s done.”
78 November 2012 www.nag.co.za The lazy gamer’s guide
TECHNICAL PROS • Great Sensor performance up to 8,200 DPI, • Looks cool four levels • High DPI sensor Onboard storage 218kb CONS Programmable • Not suitable for buttons claw grip 11 • Superfl uous Gaming profi les styling and 5 adjustments Colour selection four regions, seven ALTERNATIVES colour options • Cyborg R.A.T. 7
WOULD YOU horseshoe pattern on the scroll- software is capable of confi guring pivot to the left or the right. To LOOK AT THAT? wheel has no noticeable impact the device’s sensitivity, setting up be frank, we didn’t notice much Look at this thing; it’s like a on traction; and the seemingly macro keys and adjusting the LEDs improvement one way or the half-transformed Decepticon! missing bits on the sides and back – everything you’d expect from a other with the latter tweak, but The 10M’s showy exterior might really only serve to provide fewer mouse of this calibre and price. the ability to raise the palm rest is look like it houses a number of gripping positions and reduced certainly welcome. On that note, incredible features alongside a fl ux structural integrity. GET A GRIP if you’re the type who favours a capacitor and coff ee maker, but The 10M bears a striking poised claw grip over the deeper despite the fl ash, this is a pretty GAME ON resemblance to the Mad palm style, then you might want bog-standard, if high-end, gaming As soon as you fi re up your Catz RAT series with its to shop around: with so few mouse. The hex grill on top does favourite game, you’ll know that, deconstructed, industrial styling, points available for you to grip nothing but let you peer inside for all its fl air, the 10M really does and it includes a couple of tricks the mouse on its sides, you might from another angle (it’s meant to mean business. This mouse glides from the competitor’s bag. There fi nd that extended periods of increase airfl ow to reduce sweaty with ease thanks to its overall light are two points of adjustment – gaming result in cramped digits if hands, but it fails at that); the weight (which is unfortunately the rear palm rest can be raised those bits that are available aren’t LED rectangle thing on the main not adjustable) and smooth pads or lowered, and the whole where you’re used to sticking button is just there for show; the on the underside. The included bottom part can be adjusted to your fi ngers.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 79 MSI
A gathering of the best overclockers of 2012 MOA
TaiPei will never be the same again. 2012
80 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE MSI MOA 2012
ay what you may about MSI, but out of all the major mainboard vendors, they are the only ones who have hosted an extreme overclocking competition every year for the last Sfi ve years. If that doesn’t speak of the vendor’s dedication to the enthusiasts then nothing else will. This year in its usual fashion, MSI had seeding events all over the world and the winners from each region were the ones who met this year in Taipei, Taiwan. MSI gathered 16 teams in total, each represented by two individuals. One would think that with fi ve years of overclocking competitions, teams would vary by the year to some degree, but it turns out that this is pretty much the same group of people from many years back. As such, these competitors are putting on an exhibition for the public more than they are trying to best each other. The atmosphere for MOA 2012 was easily the most relaxed in all overclocking competitions to date. Despite all the mishaps that are part and parcel of live overclocking, there wasn’t any animosity, aggression or otherwise negative sentiment amongst any of the teams. This was easily the best overclocking competition in that regard and possibly in other ways as well as we will highlight to you.
THE HARDWARE MSI chose the X79 platform for this competition but you may think that Z77 was more appropriate since MSI’s best motherboard at present is based on the Z77 chipset. However, MSI’s decision to go with the X79 platform makes sense if only because it’s a simpler platform to overclock and the margins between samples are smaller compared to Ivy Bridge CPUs. The clock ceiling for most SNB-E CPUs is around 5.4GHz and the ones termed “bad” are usually capable of 5.2GHz. Not only did this reduce the luck element in component selection but it also meant that the competitors could focus on tweaking their machines to get the best scores rather than fi ghting for those 6.5GHz+ frequencies and battling for stability. As for motherboards, MSI naturally chose More than their Big Bang X Power as it’s their fl agship 1,000 litres of X79 off ering. The board may not have been to liquid Nitrogen everyone’s liking but nobody complained about was used being held back by any indelicacies, in fact some during the competitors had only praise for the mainboard, entire day. which is rare to hear at an overclocking competition. The graphics card of choice and the real diamond here was the GTX 680 Lightning Edition which has proved to be the most powerful GTX 680 on the market, at least in terms of the sheer number of people who have managed to reach speeds above 1.8GHz with it. Memory was courtesy of Kingston and their 2,400MHz Hyper-X Genesis kits, 1,275Watt PSUs from Thermaltake and Velociraptor drives
www.nag.co.za November 2012 81 from Western Digital. MSI had a great lineup of fate in the benchmark that followed. hardware, a package more than capable of the Last, and easily our favourite, was 3DMark11. task at hand. With records being broken recently in the benchmark, MSI had a great incentive for the competitors (or warriors as they were THE BENCHMARKS referred to) encouraging them to not only try This is another area where MSI struck gold, to win in the benchmark but break the world off ering not only the most straightforward record. Suffi ce to say this didn’t happen, but benchmarks at MOA, but possibly of all the scores were impressive nonetheless with competitions. It’s true that diff erent overclockers a couple over the 15,000 point mark. Overall prefer diff erent benchmarks but when we asked this was the perfect selection of benchmarks around there wasn’t a single one who had any and should any other vendor consider hosting issue with the three chosen programs. 32M was another live competition, these are defi nitely possibly the most technical as it was not sheer the benchmarks to go with. They are fairly clock speed, but tweaking a lot and knowing straightforward, visually appealing (other than how to extract the most from the system. Easily SuperPi 32M) and without too much bias to any the most boring of the lot, if only because it’s one component. not visual and it takes a long time. 3DMark03 followed and things started to get interesting there because it was the THE COMPETITORS fi rst of two 3D benchmarks. Clock speeds Out of the 16 invited teams, only 15 showed were going to matter here for both the CPU up as there was a problem with visas and and GPU and this is where things either got the Greek team. Many expressed their very hairy for competitors or they potentially disappointment as Greece has some of the secured their victory. The GPU clock speeds most prolifi c overclockers the scene has for 3DMark03 and 3DMark11 would be ever known. Despite this, the competition similar and if your score wasn’t up to par in went on as planned and it’s fair to say each 3DMark03, you would likely suff er the same region was represented by the best or at least fairly competent overclockers. Well known people such as OC_WINDFORCE, Splave, Romdominance, Hazzan, Rbuass, Ryba, Alva (the winner of MSI’s fi rst MOA competition), RIGHT: Smoke, Stoola, Matose, Deanzo, Vivi and a NVIDIA booth host of others. babes and rep. Odd to see Mutual respect was the order of the day BOTTOM: NVIDIA at an and each team was very honest about the By the time this overclocking capabilities of their hardware when asked photo was taken the competition even by competitors. The venue had other contestants had, given their overclockers as well who were not competing, gone through more position on the and the top four overclockers of the world than six straight hours hobby of late. who each once held the number one position of overclocking.
82 November 2012 www.nag.co.za FEATURE MSI MOA 2012
LEFT: Andrew and Vivi representing SA
placing considering that the two competitors have only ever had a single overclocking session together and they could not prepare in advance. Problems with the VGA card and cold boots prevented them from scoring any higher, but they did submit respectable scores in each benchmark, even though they had amongst the lowest clocking CPUs of the day. Indonesia had three teams and a fourth Indonesian veteran overclocker Hazzan who had teamed up with the extremely talented overclocker Rbuass all the way from Sao-Paulo. Once again they could not prepare together prior to the competition and they battled with the hardware, even though both are amongst the best overclockers active today. The New Zealand team suff ered a ABOVE: showed up to support the event. MSI’s resident catastrophic loss of two graphics cards and Joanna and Ryba, overclocking expert and demigod Elmor all the they had to bow out of the competition, who took 3rd place at way from Sweden showed up as well, which proving once again that live overclocking the end of the day really helped sell the competition as the premier events are nothing like overclocking at home overclocking contest of the world and making it in the comfort of familiar surroundings with the best one the community had ever seen. unlimited time. It was a grueling nine hours of overclocking and by the time the competition was fi nished, one could see the wear and tear THE COMPETITION on the faces. Even though they had plenty The competition wasn’t as dramatic when of fuel courtesy of McDonalds and Red Bull, compared to previous years. This was probably the sheer amount of time and concentration the result of the platform, but it’s fair to say required exhausted all the competitors. Having that the simplicity or rather the absence of said that, they all came alive at the MSI after unnecessary complexity lent itself to a fairly party at Hooters, which was the perfect ending consistent distribution of results. Team Korea, to a near perfect competition. with littleboy and OC_Windforce dominated the competition, followed by the USA team with Splave and Romdominance and fi nally IN CLOSING Joanna and Ryba. The best looking team of the In closing, we would like to like thank MSI and competition, not because of Ryba, but Joanna all the partners for a great competition. With was particularly appealing to the overclockers each successive year the competition gets more it seemed. Team Korea not only had the fastest refi ned and as stated before, this was the best CPU, but with so much experience between the live overclocking competition that has ever been two overclockers, they quickly secured a decent hosted. From the hardware to the benchmarks, placing in Super Pi 32M even though they didn’t the judging and the hosting, MSI have win it. From then on they simply walked away become almost masterful with these kinds of from the competition at each stage, and in the competitions. Next year should be even better end it had been a forgone conclusion as to who and we shall return to cover MOA 2013. Until would win. then look forward to the MSI GTX 680 Lightning Our own South African team tried valiantly review in the next issue, the graphics card that but despite their best eff orts, weren’t able was used in the competition and easily the best to secure a place higher than 8th. Not a bad GTX 680 for overclocking right now.
www.nag.co.za November 2012 83 / HARDWARE / Review
BENCHMARKS
3DMark11 performance
Just Cause 2 DX10 720p 1,663
Unigine Heaven Xtreme 49.42
Hard Reset 2,076.967 DX9 1080p
Sniper Elite V2 low detail 720p 38.6
47.5
AMD A10 5800K APU Supplier AMD Website www.amd.com RRP TBA
he last six years have been very improvements and as such the CPU performance this APU has to off er. The diffi cult for AMD in every way. resembles the upcoming (at the time) SPECS faster the memory you have, the better TThere’s no denying that the outfi t Vishera CPUs more than it does the Core your gaming performance will be. We’d has gone from being a true market original Bulldozer. Essentially, it’s Quad core Trinity have liked to go into detailed scaling leader in some segments to obscurity another attempt by AMD to execute a (32nm) results, but we simply don’t have the in others, and no existence at the philosophically plausible idea that just Frequency space here, so take our word for it worst. One needs only to look at the didn’t translate as well with their fi rst 3.8GHz that you want as fast a memory set as history as is recorded in the numbers to attempt. Cache possible, within reason of course. Given realize that AMD is but a shadow of its So what we have with the 5800K 4,290KB (2MB L2) the price point it would be absurd to former self. is an APU with a total package TDP Package spend as much on a set of memory That, however, isn’t news and that’s of 100W, not surprising there as it’s FM2 as you would on the actual APU, but now what this component we have still based on the 32nm node from GPU suffi ce to say those sub-2,000MHz kits here is about. In fact, this second Global Foundries. In addition to that, AMD Radeon HD are highly discouraged. attempt at their aptly named APU just we have two modules equaling four 7660D The most interesting part about may swing things in AMD’s favor in execution cores, so in both logic and the A10 5800K is that despite its very a meaningful manner. Given that it’s at a silicon level, if you will you have low CPU performance as compared taken what seems to be an eternity four execution cores via two modules. to the Intel CPUs, when you compare PLUS for AMD’s purchase of ATI to pay The memory controller has been the performance in games, the 5800K • Best IGP on the off . Our fi rst experience with AMD’s beefed up a little and speeds as high wins by a sizeable margin. Simply put, market previous generation A8 APUs left us as 2,133MHz are offi cially supported. there’s no amount of overclocking you • Great value underwhelmed ever so slightly. The This isn’t just a check box upgrade can perform on the Intel Core CPUs • Pricing idea was sound but the execution was but is very important as the memory that would make them comparable
anything but that. In fact, we were speed directly determines the graphics in gaming performance to this APU. MINUS rather disappointed with how it all performance. This is what we are Finally the ATI acquisition is paying • Not as cool as it came together, leveraging a mediocre primarily concerned with actually off directly and proof of that is in should be CPU technology with a less than because this is what negates the how virtually all games are playable • Main CPU still aggressive GPU confi guration. Despite passable performance of the host CPU. on the 5800K provided you make lacking all this, AMD’s APUs showed some Going back to what we stated some sacrifi ces in visual fi delity promise and measured up well against earlier, we tested the system with specifi cally where rendering resolution BOTTOM LINE Intel’s off erings. diff erent memory confi gurations. is concerned. As stated earlier, AMD’s second With the Trinity cores, and in Since this is a dual channel system, bandwidth is limited and resolution attempt at an particular the high-end 5800K memory bandwidth isn’t plentiful so is heavily dependent on the available APU is excellent, model, we have a diff erent animal every bit counts. If you are going to memory bus width. As the core of delivering the to study. Based on the refi ned and use 1,600MHz memory then you’ll a media center PC or HTPC fastest IGP we updated Bulldozer architecture, the be doing yourself a huge disservice there is very little that should have seen yet. CPU side of things leverages a few as you’ll only get a fraction of the incentivize someone to look
84 November 2012 www.nag.co.za “The most interesting part about the A10 5800K is that despite its very low CPU performance as compared to the Intel CPUs, when you compare the performance in games, the 5800K wins by a sizeable margin. ”
elsewhere because the 5800K and the not too long ago had a total of 400. rest of the family for that matter are There’s a lot more to say about the truly the fi rst host processor and GPU APU, but we have briefl y discussed combination that actually deliver game all the important parts. Despite some capable performance. You will be issues regarding specifi c memory limited to 1280x720 in most titles, but modules we could not get to work, in a few you may be able to get away (this could very well be a motherboard with full 1080p gaming. For example, issue and unrelated to the CPU) we we tried as with all the others, several like this APU a lot. If a discreet GPU is diff erent confi gurations for Hard Reset, not an option for you, then you have but eventually settled on 1920x1080p no choice but to go with the 5800K with the high visual setting. The or the rest of the family as you’ll not frame rate was comfortable enough fi nd anything better from Intel. Sure at 38fps, which takes it far ahead of enough you’ll have signifi cantly better what Intel is presently off ering in Ivy- CPU performance, but it doesn’t mean Bridge based CPUs. anything for the most part if all you’ll We are further impressed by the be doing is watching movies, listening feature set of the 7000 series GPU to music and playing games on your on the 5800K. Not only does it TV. For that kind of usage scenario, the support DX11, but it has full compute AMD 10 APU is the best bar none. We features and an impressive 384 here at NAG are fans of the A10 compute cores. That’s not bad at all 5800K. 8 considering that the HD 4870 from - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za October 2012 85 / HARDWARE / Reviews
SPECS PLUS Sensor • Inexpensive Avago 3090 • Quality optical sensor (up construction CM Storm Recon to 4,000 DPI) • Comfortable to use Supplier Sonic Informed Website www.cmstorm.com RRP 475 Polling rate / response time 1,000Hz / 1ms MINUS ntering the gaming mouse Response time • Button arena at R475, CM Storm’s 1ms placement Recon is obviously targeted E Onboard memory • Obtuse driver at those who desire all the Stores up to fi ve package functionality of a basic gaming profi les and 36 mouse without having to spend macros BOTTOM LINE crazy amounts of cash for extra Cable length Aff ordable layers of superfl uous features. Its 1.8 metres and perfectly low price does not equate to low functional, the CM quality, however – it’s a mouse that Storm Recon is a boasts solid, comfortable design, good choice for with only a few design faults. gamers on a tight It boasts all the features you budget. expect, with on-the-fl y adjustable DPI (via two buttons south of the mouse wheel) between four presets of 800, 1,600, 3,200 and sensitivity setting is selected. You’re opted to cater to both lefties and to disable the off ending buttons 4,000 DPI, but these four levels can also able to create new mouse righties by having back/forward – but it does mean that if you be customised by downloading profi les, assign macros to buttons buttons on both sides of the decide to assign macros to those the Recon’s driver package. From (with delay options and the like) mouse – which is fi ne, except same buttons, you might fi nd the somewhat fi nicky driver and more. you’ll fi nd that your ring fi nger yourself accidentally activating interface, you can adjust a number While the design of the mouse will constantly, accidentally hit those macros at undesirable of diff erent settings – such as is mostly comfortable (depending these buttons (which are highly moments. You’ll eventually get changing the colour of the Recon’s on your preferences, of course), sensitive), which can be annoying used to it though, and once LED lighting, assigning diff erent there are annoyances with button when browsing the web, for you have, you’ll be happy colours to diff erent DPI settings placement. It’s an ambidextrous example. It’s a simple enough with the Recon. so you’ll know at a glance what mouse, and CM Storm has fi x, if you use the driver interface - Dane Remendes 8
PLUS Creative Labs Sound • Incredible audio performance • Scout Mode Blaster Recon3D Omega DREAM MACHINE works • Excellent overall Supplier Corex Website www.creativelabs.com RRP R2,995 quality
reative Labs has clearly MINUS set out to dominate the • Look at the price Cwireless gaming headset market with the ridiculously BOTTOM LINE named Creative Labs Sound For those who Blaster Recon3D Omega – and want nothing but after spending some time with the best and are it, we’d say they’ve absolutely willing to pay for succeeded. It’s comfortable to use, it, this is a fantastic with a cushioned band running gaming headset. along the top of the adjustable headband and cushioned ear cups that provide enough tilt to ensure a comfortable fi t. It’s ruggedly constructed, but it’s actually itself. For PC, you simply plug that never seems to falter even at this end, the hub features a Scout quite light for a high-end wireless the hub into a USB port, install maximum volume, crisp mid-range Mode button – which seems to use headset. the drivers (which let you alter tones and powerful bass making witchcraft and alchemical wizardry It ships with a USB control hub a range of audio options) and this set brilliant for music or video. to alter the audio production and that also houses an excellent you’re good to go. There’s also Its primary purpose as a gaming highlight important in-game sound card. For Xbox 360 and the detachable microphone on a headset is where it truly excels, and sounds like footsteps, so you can PS3, you’ll fi nd an optical cable fl exible boom, which connects to most players understand that, in get the drop on your opponent. that plugs into your console the left ear cup. certain games, a good headset can And it actually works. It’s simply and the hub. Volume controls Audio quality is where this set be the diff erence between victory an excellent gaming
are built into the back of the left justifi es its high price tag. It boasts and defeat when knowing your headset. 10 ear cup, as well as on the hub excellent clarity, with a high-end opponent’s location is crucial. To - Dane Remendes
86 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
/ HARDWARE / Reviews
PATRIOT Intel Extreme Masters PLUS • Reliability 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit • Lifetime Warranty Manufacturer Patriot Memory Website www.patriotmemory.com RRP R699 • Looks Great
MINUS s you can obviously tell • Default XMP from the rated speed SPECS profi le sets CL12 and timings of this set, A Density • Average a performance set it is not. 8GB (4x 2GB) performance 2,133MHz was once impressive, Voltage but now, is considered by the 1.5V BOTTOM LINE community the minimum speed Timings Easily the most required out of a set of memory, 11-11-11-27 reliable set of as anything slower limits just XMP gaming memory about every platform available Yes 1.3 from Patriot. right now. You may wonder then why Patriot, a veteran of sorts in the DRAM industry, is producing machine testing, the memory is all instability in your system after hours would recommend, and that’s such an average set, under a new hand tested and sold with a limited on end of gaming, that it won’t be because it actually delivers lower name. Well, the answer is simply lifetime warranty. You’re essentially the memory. performance than the 2,133MHz because Patriot is the offi cial buying server-grade memory for Naturally as stated earlier, setting, so we opted instead for memory sponsor of Intel’s Extreme the desktop, without the pricing we aren’t particularly moved tighter timings at the default 1.5V. Masters league. Intel has a gaming to match. It’s easy to overlook this by 2,133MHz so we decided to The set managed 10-11-10-27 and league and Patriot is the offi cial as we did initially, but when visiting see how far we could push the we were fairly satisfi ed with these memory supplier for the league. several memory factories we realized memory without going past 1.5V, settings given the purpose of this This shouldn’t mean much for us, that the testing procedure and but we didn’t get very far at all. RAM. This not overclocking RAM, but it actually has some relevance binning process for such memory Even 2,200MHz proved to be too but if stability is paramount above in that it guarantees that each set is much higher than it is for regular, much. However 1.6V allowed all else for you, you should of memory is tested in the most high-speed and even overclocking the system to boot into windows give this set some serious stringent manner. memory. You’re promised with and it was fairly stable. However, consideration. In addition to the standard such a set that should there be any 2,200MHz isn’t a multiplier we - Neo Sibeko 8
Tt eSports MEKA G-Unit PLUS • Tactile feel is Mechanical Keyboard great • Primary gaming Distributor Corex Website www.ttesports.com RRP R1,137 keys light up • Well packaged e don’t have a lot of room for this review MINUS Wso we’ll get right into • No audio the meaty bits of this gaming pass-through keyboard from Tt eSports. capability As with all things, perfect it is not. For one, it’s shorter than BOTTOM LINE we’d prefer so it feels a little One of the better cramped when compared to our gaming keyboards current Dream Machine keyboard on the market – the GIGABYTE Osmium. right now. Build quality is good but once again not up to our standard benchmark because while it is minimize cable clutter. Having switches. They do need a little feel to the key-presses. heavy, the weight distribution said all that, this keyboard is more force because they are Overall, this is a well put seems to only prevent the still amongst the better ones the most resistive switches together package; it actually has keyboard from slipping rather available today, and if you can available in the range, but signifi cantly more going for it that than coming as a result of quality overlook some of the small you soon get used to the we are able to express here and materials. issues, it’s a fantastic keyboard force required and it actually the price is incredible. The Meka There’s an audio controller to use. It is feature-packed and becomes pretty hard to go G-Unit may be competing in an on the keyboard (but no audio macro keys are not something back to gaming on a membrane increasingly crowded market but pass-through cable) so you you’ll ever run out of regardless keyboard afterwards. Maybe it’s certainly amongst the top can continue to use your of the game you are playing. not the best for typing, but for runners and defi nitely
dedicated audio card with this The key press is precise gaming, there are few keyboards worth considering. 8 keyboard should you wish to courtesy of the MX-Black that can claim to have a better - Neo Sibeko
88 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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Corsair Neutron BENCHMARKS BASELINE: NEUTRON GTX DREAM MACHINE Series 240GB SSDs Average read
Supplier Frontosa Website www.frontosa.co.za RRP R2,499 457.3 Average write 473.6 o not be alarmed by the double where we were getting nowhere near SPECS SSD review in this issue. It is the advertised performance (especially 370.9 Controller Dnot a comparison but a parallel IOPS) with any drive. 496 review of the fi rst two SSDs from SSDs are pretty much the same LAMB LM8700 4K read (QD16) Corsair’s new line-up of drives. They aesthetically, so there’s nothing to NAND type are essentially identical drives, but the say about that, but inside is where the 24nm Toggle 284.9 NAND GTX off ers slightly better performance magic happens and there’s lots of that 4K write 294.3 at an ever slightly steeper price. within these drives. The measured and Form factor Before we get into the performance, tested performance of these drives 2.5” it’s worth detailing what makes the was surprisingly close. This isn’t in Interface 316.2 Neutron drives diff erent from Corsair’s the sequential transactions speeds SATA 6Gbps previous off erings. These are the fi rst per say, but the IOPS performance drives from the manufacturer that was analogous to the claims Corsair feature the LAMB LM87800 controller. makes on the packaging. Something With this series,or at least thus far, important and rarely ever seen when confi dent in saying the Neutron drive the typical and common SF-2000 dealing with storage. would be faster, and obviously the series controllers have been replaced We recorded read and write IOPS GTX even faster. Part of that speed is PLUS by what is looking like a very good performance numbers that were due to the Toshiba 2nm Toggle NAND • Very fast SSDs controller in all regards. above 85% of Corsair’s claims. By the used within the drives. • Fast with Of paramount importance is that same token we also noticed that there We are happy to say that the compressed and this controller doesn’t suff er the really isn’t much between the GTX and troubles that plagued the previous SF- uncompressed performance shortfall that SandForce- the regular drive. We initially thought based drives from Corsair are gone. All data powered drives are prone to. something had gone wrong with our we experienced was blisteringly quick • Five year Compressed and uncompressible data data, but upon repeated testing under performance. Not only did Corsair warranty work equally well and, more than that, diff erent conditions we concluded manage to produce two notable
the numbers we obtained with these that our data was indeed correct. The drives, but they are now off ering a five MINUS drives were nothing short of amazing. regular Neutron drive only suff ered year warranty on the drives, which is • Nothing As a side note, do not be alarmed against the GTX in sequential writes marvellous considering that only Intel with the vastly diff erent numbers in and maximum IO response time. To was willing to cover the life of their BOTTOM LINE the benchmark results. We moved to put into perspective how little this SSDs for that amount of time. Corsair’s Neutron a new methodology and a mixture of means we should make you aware There just really isn’t anything family of drives are suites here at NAG for testing SSDs. that the Neutron beat our previous to dislike about these drives. They blisteringly quick, The results are not comparable with fastest drive, the Plextor M3 PRO, in get our vote and the Neutron GTX but aff ordable. previous SSD reviews directly, but sequential write operations. While becomes the new NAG Dream
suffi ce to say the new suite better we can’t re-run the Plextor M3 PRO Machine SSD. 9 refl ects the drives claims than before, tests again with the new suite, we are - Neo Sibeko
90 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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Build quality on the Sonuz pair is as with the Sirus: impressive through the use of solid materials and attention to detail rivalling that of headphones costing ten times the price.
CM Storm Sonuz Gaming Headset Distributor Sonic Informed Website www.sonicinformed.co.za RRP R820
s a result of our previous in this regard while other competing actually. For those very long gaming experience with the Sirus products are gimmicky and feel fl imsy SPECS and listening sessions you may still Aheadset from CM Storm through the use of cheap materials. Frequency fi nd it necessary to own both sets, if almost a full calendar year ago, our A direct comparison with the Sirus response only because you can game for many expectations of the Sonuz headset unit was not possible because we 10 ~ 20,000 Hz more hours on these. were inherently high. The previous changed audio cards and as such, Impedance The Sonuz headphones feature headset blew us away in acoustic any variances in the sound quality 45 Ohm a robust and sensitive removable agility and precision. For a gaming could have easily been attributed Input sensitivity microphone only made better by headset the Sirus remains one of the to the diff erent hardware. However, 93dB the fact that you can install it on most underrated products around, but despite the diff erences, it was very Driver size either side of the headphones. The easily the best. obvious that the Sirus still had an 53mm performance of the microphone is The Sonuz for all intents and edge in performance. The diff erence as you’d expect: clear and relatively purposes is a lesser version of the between the two varies depending sensitive to the angle at which it’s Sirus. As such it comes in at a lower on the usage but it’s fairly easy placed. It eliminates background price point and without many of the to pick up on especially when noise suffi ciently that it may negate extras that were present on the Sirus, listening to the highly detailed audio the need to have noise cancelling mainly the surround sound support passages. The Sonuz drivers are PLUS features as found on some recent and the audio controller hub. This much bigger at 53mm, but they just • Very comfortable sound cards. in itself isn’t an issue at all because aren’t as responsive. The sound isn’t • Acoustics Back to the audio performance, the audio hub on the Sirus wasn’t necessarily duller, but it just isn’t as • Build quality and we have to say, given the price particularly useful because all the inspiring even though it’s far superior diff erences between this set and the magic was in the headset itself. So to many other gaming headsets. MINUS Sirus, we would still advocate for the this isn’t a loss at all as far as we’re To get the best from the Sonuz • Nothing Sirus as it really is a class above. If your concerned. however, you’ll still need a dedicated budget is very stringent then obviously Build quality on the Sonuz pair is as or at least 3rd-party audio solution BOTTOM LINE you’ll have to settle for the Sonuz. with the Sirus: impressive through the as the generic on-board off erings are One of the better Despite the slightly lower acoustic use of solid materials and attention still no match for these much like it gaming headsets performance, for the price you’re unlikely to detail rivalling that of headphones was with the Sirus. currently. to fi nd a better gaming solution. CM costing ten times the price. From Another favourable aspect of this Unmatched Storm has once again produced a winner here on in we’ll have to assume this set, often overlooked, is comfort. acoustics at this and this should prove a favourite price. is an inherent feature of CM Storm The Sonuz set is very comfortable, amongst gamers. 8 products as they really do stand out probably more so than the Sirus, - Neo Sibeko
92 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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BENCHMARKS BASELINE: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
3DMark Vantage CPU
32,874 Cinebench 11.5 46,760
9.45 AIDA 64 Copy 13.43
28,514MB/s 20,396MB/s 3DMark03
112,431 127,025
SPECS Chipset Intel Z77 Memory 4x 240-pin DDR3 CPU support Intel Core i7 SNB/ IB (LGA1155) Slots 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3x PCIe x1
GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 HARDWARE Supplier Rectron Website www.gigabyte.com RRP R5,500
fter having reviewed so many Z77 dedicated and competitive overclocker. world records set with this board, but motherboards here at NAG, what Technically this board is marvellous; PLUS suffi ce to say if you have a capable CPU Ahas become very clear to us, and there’s nothing to fault here – Ultra • Very good it will not be the board holding you probably you the reader, is that pretty Durable 5 technology, 32-phase PWM, overclocking back. With a new LN2 mode and a bclk/ much any Z77 motherboard on the moisture protection – you name it, it’s features CPU multiplier control system that’s market is relatively good. Not surprising there and it’s not important to go into • Great efficiency transparent to the operating system, given that it’s a relatively simple platform, that kind of detail here. Feature-wise it’s • 32-phase PWM GIGABYTE has perfected the UP7 like much like its predecessor the P67 and near identical to the UP5TH, apart from • 4-way SLI/ they never have any other board. Z68. Granted, things are somewhat the fact that it has 4-way SLI/Crossfi re Crossfire X Much like the other Z77 boards in this more detailed with Z77, it doesn’t X support. However it’s not just all PCIe current generation from GIGABYTE, change the fact that if a vendor sticks to lanes being fed to the switching chip, MINUS memory is tuned pretty aggressively Intel’s guidelines and builds from there, no, it’s done intelligently so that if you’re • Nothing so memory frequency records, while they’ll have a solid motherboard. only using a single graphics card there’s possible, will be a little harder to achieve So after so many iterations of no switching chip between the CPU and BOTTOM LINE compared to what the competition GIGABYTE Z77 motherboards in the graphics card, hence there are no The Z77X-UP7 is an off ers. With some tuning this can particular one would imagine there latency issues and you are at optimum overclocker’s dream obviously be remedied, but for those just isn’t anything more to be said performance. Engage several GPUs in motherboard. Easily who prefer to reach high speeds as-is about them. We loved the UD3H, then tandem however and the switching chip in competition rather than tweaking the board to allow subsequently the UP5TH we reviewed in comes into play. So you really get the for the best Z77 such, you may want to look somewhere the September issue and if you still have best of both worlds: 4-way graphics motherboard ever else. For the rest of the overclocking that issue you’ll recall that we said the but without the penalty suff ered by made. community or power users, this board only superior board in the line-up was traditional lane distribution designs is near perfect. You’ll be hard pressed the then unreleased UP7. when using a single graphics card. to fi nd a situation where this board Well, we fi nally got our hands on the To best describe this board, one was the limiting factor and not your UP7 and as we had suspected it’s better would have to say: think of the original particular components you have in all conceivable ways. The problem X58-OC motherboard, the fi rst black installed. This board is absolutely however is that not everyone will be and orange board from GIGABYTE. fantastic and is very easy to advocate able to appreciate that, in fact we fi rmly This may not be a direct successor as for. If you want the ultimate machine believe that for the most part, the vast that was the X79-UD7, but in effi ciency, for speed, give this some serious majority of people are better off with features and characteristics this is its consideration as its better than
the UP5TH as all the additions to this true successor. There’s no need to even we have stated. 9 board will be lost to everyone but the recount the numerous overclocking - Neo Sibeko
94 November 2012 www.nag.co.za
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SPECS Core GK106 (28nm) Processors 768 Render outputs: 16 Memory 1,024MB GDDR5 5.4GHz (86.4GB/ sec) API DirectX 11.1 OpenGL 4.x BENCHMARKS OpenCL 1.x BASELINE: ASUS GEFORCE GTX680 PhysX Hard Reset DX9 1,080p 4xAA
42 Just Cause 2 DX10 1,080p 99.6
73.82 3DMark11 155.72 Extreme
1,534 3DMark 3,343 Vantage
19,316 Unigine Heaven Xtreme 39,722 HARDWARE 881.9,506 MSI GTX 650Ti Power Edition 1,871.607 Distributor Corex Website www.msi.com RRP R1,999
he fi rst thing we need to mention beginning if it performed anything like benchmark results. That’s a 200MHz before we get into detail about what we’ve seen from the GK107 parts. PLUS boost in clock speed and one Tthis graphics card is that NVIDIA Fortunately this graphics card • Much better than that should not only impress the has been rather silly in naming or reminded us more of the GTX 560 the GTX 650 overclockers amongst us, but the segmenting their graphics cards of late. Ti than anything else. Much like the • Boost clock gamers as well – particularly those The GTX 650 Ti is a great example to GTX 560 Ti as well, it overclocks very shenanigan free on a budget. Out the box the card this. One would think that the diff erence well, in fact we think even better. • Massive performs admirably but add the between the underwhelming GTX 650 We aren’t sure if this is due to MSI’s overclocking overclocking potential to it and it starts and the 650 Ti is clock speeds or at profi ciency at manufacturing graphics headroom to make more sense than the GTX most a few more shader cores. However cards, an inherent feature of the 660. As for the memory, it was even nothing could be further from the truth. silicon (as witnessed with the GTX 650 MINUS more impressive. From the shipping The GTX 650 Ti we have here features overclocking) or both, but whatever it • Pricing may be an 5.4GHz clock we managed a scorching exactly double the number of compute may be, we had some fairly interesting issue 6.5GHz without so much as touching cores that the GTX 650 has at a total of overclocking sessions with this graphics the memory voltage. So despite this 768 versus 384 on the GTX 650. How card. Not only did it run very cool at its BOTTOM LINE being a fairly low to mid-range card, this is only worth a “Ti” at the end is default settings peaking at an impressive The regular GTX MSI has not cut corners with the perplexing but we are glad such a part 48°C under load, but the overclocking 650 is rubbish, but component quality and it’s deserving exists, if only to redeem the 650 SKU only increased that to 57°C which is still the GTX 650 Ti of the “Power Edition” label. We didn’t from complete ridicule. To further make very impressive. So there’s something is good, the MSI bother much with further overclocking this naming scheme odd, the GTX 650 to be said about the large and unsightly Power Edition easily of the memory using the reference Ti is actually based on the GK106 silicon cooler. It actually does a fantastic the best thus far. cooler, but we are confi dent that one and not the GK107 as the 650 is. job and having to choose between a could use the 6.5GHz memory clock With a more capable core at its good looking cooler and this kind of for everyday gaming and not suff er a disposal, the GTX 650 Ti packs a total performance, we’d have to lean towards single rendering artifact or increased of 16 render outputs for a 15.9Gpixel/s the higher frame rates in our games and temperatures for it. fi ll-rate. Defi nitely not impressive by higher scores in the benchmarks. Our fi rst impression of the GTX 650 any means but it does allow gaming at How far exactly did we manage Ti via the MSI Power Edition has left us 1080p resolutions so there’s something to take the GTX 650 Ti? Very far – to thoroughly impressed, almost as if this to be said about specs not telling the a respectable 1.187GHz and since graphics card is better than it should be. If entire story. We truly didn’t expect much there is no Turbo to deal with, we you can fi nd it for a decent price,
from this and despite MSI’s overclocking were constantly at this speed with defi nitely buy this one. 9 eff orts, it was doomed from the no random variations in repeated - Neo Sibeko
96 November 2012 www.nag.co.za Review / HARDWARE /
Thermaltake Water 2.0 PRO Distributor Corex Website www.corex.co.za RRP TBA
hermaltake is no stranger to heat sinks, fans, and Tcooling solutions in general. With each successive generation, the lack of improvement to the SPECS PLUS standard coolers that Intel and Radiator size • Good AMD provide for their CPUs 120x120x38.3mm performance give new life to outfi ts such as Compatibility • Aff ordable Thermaltake. The Water 2.0, 2011 despite its lamentable name, is a 1366 MINUS closed loop cooling system that is 775 • Slightly complex miles ahead of what the reference 1156 setup cooler both AMD and Intel provide. 1155 The Water 2.0 PRO is a slightly AM2 BOTTOM LINE larger version of the basic AM3 An above average Performer model. This increase FM1 water cooler with in size obviously allows better FM2 a good price. radiation of heat and with two fans installed the performance diff erence between the Performer and the PRO should isn’t worth it. We would rather fl ow rate is higher as the rubber on an AMD system. You can’t use be notable. However, in isolation use the one fan and use the other housing could just have a bigger the standard back plate and you we have to say that the additional somewhere else in the system as it diameter. have to rely on the one included fan doesn’t do much to improve will do a lot more there than when Setup is simple enough in that in the package. This shouldn’t be the cooling effi ciency. used on the radiator. you’re unlikely to need a manual, an issue for most users because The diff erence is there with Build quality-wise, the Water however we do feel that there you’re unlikely going to want to two fans, but the problem is 2.0 is not too diff erent to what is one too many steps to follow upgrade from the Water 2.0 PRO, that amount of additional noise other vendors off er. The tubing when compared with the H100 at least for this generation generated by the cooler for a two seems slightly thicker but that for example. This is especially true of CPUs. 8 degree temperature variation doesn’t necessarily mean the when mounting the water cooling - Neo Sibeko
www.nag.co.za November 2012 97 / GAME OVER /
GG The dating game for gamers
But seriously, dating isn’t a game and everybody should disabuse themselves of this vapid trope instantly, although the people behind the UK’s Date A Gamer website must’ve missed that very important memo. Among a bunch of others, apparently, but I’ll get back to that. In a recent Date A Gamer YouTube instructional video series1 including such enduring classics as “How to date a sexy gamer girl”, “What to do on a fi rst date with a single gamer”, and “How to impress a girl into bed after the fi rst date”, hired models with orange skin in frilly underwear posing as the otherwise elusive she-gamer attempt to persuade unsuspecting2 men that dating women is basically exactly the same thing as administrating an enterprise- level network. Kind of, anyway, because even the Wikipedia entry on mixed metaphors has nothing on this: “If he can feel my vibe and fi ll my bandwidth, it could turn into a physical relationship,” says hired-model-in- 1 Which was “Some men think subsequently yanked frilly-underwear Jessica, presumably concentrating really for being too gross hard to read off a large font prompter, because I can’t work even for YouTube out why else she seems so unconvinced about it. “At the women are high – an impressive, if end of the day, everyone has sexual needs. And sometimes I also impressively maintenance. They ignominious need someone to overload my buff er.” accomplishment Elsewhere, a 1:29-minute exposé of the role of women – and then later in video games off ers this profoundly thought-provoking obviously haven't reinstated because, conclusion: you know, it’s still YouTube. “Some men think women are high maintenance. They played Diablo III." obviously haven’t played Diablo III.” 2 Unsuspecting. And I mean thought-provoking because it doesn’t make Gullible. Really, really any sense whatsoever when you think about it, and it makes Pro tip: We’re regular human beings just like everybody else. desperate. It’s a semantics thing. even less sense if you think about it anymore than that. The big secret that Date A Gamer doesn’t want you There’s a whole lot wrong with Date A Gamer – perhaps to know without fi rst paying a substantial monthly 3 And if it doesn’t, the most off ensive being the presumption that gamers are subscription fee is that dating gamers is actually totally blame biology or exclusively male and so socially incompetent that they need simple – just be yourself, and what happens, happens3. It’s something. Attraction is way more to be taught how to interact with women like we’re a series also the same principle that applies to dating anybody, not complicated than a of plot objectives in a video game instead of, you know, just gamers. Who knew it would be that obvious? checklist of “PLAYS regular human beings just like everybody else. - Tarryn van der Byl GAMES [Y/N]?”.
Extra Life By Scott Johnson – ©2012 All rights reserved – Myextralife.com
98 November 2012 www.nag.co.za